Page:The Cry of Nature.pdf/160

 the ſtigma and odium of his crime by communicating it to all, told them that the city ought to ſlay a bullock. As they ſtood heſitating at this propoſal, and unable to decide who ſhould perpetrate the deed, Diomus offered to ſtrike the blow on theſe conditions, that they would grant him the freedom of their city, and alſo participate with him in the murder of the animal. Having agreed to theſe conditions, they returned to the city, where they regulated the order of the execution in the manner in which it is ſtill performed by them at this day.

"They choſe a number of virgins to bring water in order to whet the hatchet and the knife. When theſe weapons were