On the first day of their arrival they were assigned to different gangs for different mines, and on the second, to give the newcomers an idea of what insubordination brought about, they were treated to the revolting sight of the punishing of prisoners with the knout.
There were nearly fifty of them, but what their crimes had been Barnwell had no means of knowing, as he could not understand the Russian language.
But the poor, miserable wretches were unmercifully flogged on their bare backs with that terrible weapon of torture, the knout; and while some of them sent up piteous cries as the cruel whip tore their flesh, others received their punishment in stolid silence, as though disdaining to let the tyrants know that they suffered, while still others paid back every lash with a curse.
It was one of the most terrible sights that young Barnwell had ever conceived of even, and being forced to witness it he became sick and faint at heart. He had read of such things but until now he never believed them possible. He could not believe that anything wearing the human form could be so fiendishly cruel. Indeed, it seemed to be a holiday treat to those bearded beasts who wielded the thongs, and whenever a particular case was administered upon they would look at the newcomer with mocking leers.
Finally to Barnwell's infinite horror a young Russian girl was brought out bared to the waist.
She could not have been above twenty years of age and under different circumstances would have been beautiful and evidently belonged to a grade higher than the peasants.
"Zera Vola!" he heard the governor's officer call as the girl was led out for punishment.
"Great Scott!" exclaimed Barnwell, "are they going to flog her? I had rather die myself than see it!"
He looked around, but no one appeared to understand him, although he noted the horror and disgust on the faces of the new exiles.
The girl was blushing deeply at this forced exposition of her person, but she seemed otherwise firm and undaunted.