A slow, torturing method this to make way with prisoners. It is however resorted to by many of the South Sea Island tribes.
At first the victim easily manages to catch his breath between whiles. Gradually, however, this becoming harder, and the difficulty increasing every moment, the wretches are eventually strangled to death.
Poor Mary! The hardships and excitement she had lately undergone were of themselves sufficient to deprive an ordinary woman of her strength. This young girl, however, had an excellent constitution and, when occasion required, a strong will. Now the intensity of her anguish regarding her lover had so worked upon her, that, with this new torture before her, she became unconscious.
Heedless of this, however, the native having charge of her, still held her upright in the water, until the chief again interfered.
"Makee muchee now long," said he.
The two were drawn out to the beach, Brand, however, being informed that the disagreeable ceremony would before morning, be repeated, until he was drownee, drownee, drownee.
Soon after Mary came to her senses. At first somewhat bewildered, she soon remembered all.
"Dead! dead!" she moaned, "he is dead."
The natives heeded not her sufferings. On the contrary, they seemed to gloat over her distress.
An hour wore on when the prisoners were again led into water, the seas breaking high, continually went over their heads.