Page:Pearl of Asia (Child JT, 1892).pdf/153

138 sentence of death is pronounced on a prisoner he is confined in jail till the morning of execution and then a bamboo yoke, about a yard in length, is placed around his neck and fastened to a round piece of wood that encloses his wrists, thus keeping the arms stretched out in front of him and with chains on his neck and ankles he is led to a wat in the neighborhood of the execution ground where he is bambooed by the executioner and after prayers by the priests is taken to the spot selected for the purpose where a small bamboo cross is stuck in the ground; the yoke and chain around the neck is then taken off and the prisoner ordered to squat down in front of the cross to which his arms are fastened, he is then made to bend forward with his face toward the ground, in front of him are placed some flowers and a few lighted joss sticks, then one of the attendants takes some mud and plugs up his ears and makes a mark across the back of his neck. All being ready at a signal the executioner enters and as soon as he gets immediately behind the prisoner gives his sword a whirl and bringing it down with full force severs the head from the body, except a small piece of skin which connects it with the torso.

Having a curiosity to witness an execution I attended that of three dacoits, three of the fourteen that had been sentenced. His Majesty having commuted the sentence of eleven to imprisonment for life, a worse punishment than death. After the prisoners had been bambooed they were escorted to the ground by a squad of soldiers and police. Then their chains were stricken off and they were made to seat themselves before the crosses to which they were fastened, mud was then placed in their ears and marks drawn across their