His talk was listened to with attention, which says much for the boys’ good manners, since they had never been chastised and the whole tenor of his remarks must have sounded alien to their ears. Still, they heard him out, or rather until a certain moment when the lecturer, proudly displaying his canes, remarked of one, “This is a fine cane for six of the best; all my canes, moreover, are antiseptic.” At this very instant, no doubt thanks to some pre-arranged sign, half-a-dozen of the heftier lads fell on him, bent him over and pinioned him. A strapping young Indian lad then seized Wildman’s own instrument and laid on with no uncertain arm and aim.
Chastisement Across the Ages14
