But then it was otherwise--the accused himself must plead, or the trial could not go on.

Therefore he must be made to plead--by placing heavy weights upon his breast, and adding to them until the accused either agreed to plead, or died under the torture.

In which last case, the prisoner lost his life as contumacious; but gained his point of preserving his estate, and title of nobility if he had any, to his family.
So, manly old Giles Corey, remorseful for the fate he had helped to bring upon his wife, and determined that his children should inherit the property he had acquired, maintained a determined silence when brought before the Special Court.

Being warned, again and again, he simply smiled.

He could bear all that they in their cruel mockery of justice could inflict upon him.
Joseph Putnam and Master Raymond rode down to Salem that day--to the orchard where the brave old man was led out of jail to meet his doom.
They saw him, tied hand and foot, and heavy flat stones and iron weights laid one by one upon him.
"More! More!" pleaded the old man at last.