They seized the magistrado by the arms and conducted him to the post, and bound him there with thongs.
"You will line up," Señor Zorro told them. "You will take this whip, and each of you will lash this man five times. I shall be watching, and if I see the whip fall lightly once I shall deal out punishment. Begin!"
He tossed the whip to the first man, and the punishment began. Señor Zorro had no fault to find with the manner in which it was given, for there was great fear in the hearts of the peons, and they whipped with strength, and willingly.
"You, also, landlord!" Señor Zorro said.
"He will put me in carcel for it afterward," the landlord wailed.
"Do you prefer carcel or a coffin, señor?" the highwayman asked.
It became evident that the landlord preferred the carcel. He picked up the whip, and he surpassed the peons in the strength of his blows.
The magistrado was hanging heavily from the thongs now. Unconsciousness had come to him with about the fifteenth blow, more through fear than through pain and punishment.
"Unfasten the man," the highwayman ordered.
Two men sprang forward to do his bidding.