Crying and begging like a frightened child, Miguel Bunol was stripped and tied to the post. Then the men with the rawhide whips began their work. The whips whistled through the air and fell on the Spaniard’s bare back, bringing the blood with the first blow.
A shriek of pain came from Bunol’s lips.
Dick could not endure much of this. After a little he implored the sheik to stop it.
“But this is merely a taste,” said Ras al Had grimly. “Do you think he would have stopped so soon with you at the post?”
“It makes no difference,” returned Merriwell. “I can’t see any human being beaten up that way.”
“If I stop them now, you must promise me not to interfere further in his behalf.”
“You will punish him in some other manner?”
“But not with the whip.”
“All right; I promise.”
Immediately Ras al Had checked the men who were wielding the whips. He spoke a few words to Ali Beha, who nodded.