It so fell out that at the same time were committed thither (for
what cause I do not now remember) two lusty young men, who were
called Baptists, to be kept also at the same labour.
The Friend was a poor little man, of a low condition and mean
appearance; whereas these two Baptists were topping blades, that
looked high and spoke big. They scorned to beat hemp, and made a
pish at the whipping-post; but when they had once felt the smart of
it, they soon cried peccavi, and submitting to the punishment, set
their tender hands to the beetles.
The Friend, on the other hand, acting upon a principle, knowing he
had done no evil for which he should undergo that punishment,
refused to work, and for refusing was cruelly whipped; which he bore
with wonderful constancy and resolution of mind.
The manner of whipping there is, to strip the party to the skin from
the waist upwards, and having fastened him to the whipping-post, so
that he can neither resist nor shun the strokes, to lash the naked
body with long but slender twigs of holly, which will bend almost
like thongs, and lap round the body; and these having little knots
upon them, tear the skin and flesh, and give extreme pain.
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