Great red seams lay upon his shoulders and a single lash had cut his bowed neck.

Another stroke, more fierce than the others, and MacDougall turned away from the figure at the post, breathing hard.

The guards unfastened the victim's wrist-thongs and the man staggered to his feet.

As he swayed down through the path that opened for him his crimson back shone in the sun.
"Great God!" gasped Nathaniel.
He turned to Obadiah and was startled by the appearance of the old man.
The councilor's face was ghastly.

His mouth twitched and his body trembled.