WITNESS REPORT 3

Execution, arrows belly butt

    This report comes to you from the tribal lands. As it concerns a tribal law case it has no case number except for our oversight file.
    Case # TLO- 99-17a-  The condemned in this case was a twenty four year old single mother. She was found guilty of killing her babe by drowning it in it’s bath. She was also found guilty of lying to the tribal council which also carries a death penalty. Because it was a case prosecuted under tribal law the sentence was different. Where our judges have wide powers in sentencing those of the tribal council are limited by their law. She was sentenced to be killed by an archer and furthermore he was to use the traditional weapons of the people. To wit, a wooden bow with a pull weight of around forty pounds and firing wooden shafted arrows tipped with simple iron points. The execution proceeded as follows.
    The condemned was brought before the assembled members of the tribe and had both her crime and her sentence read. She was naked. Her hands were tied behind her back and a two ropes were tied around her neck. Those present were lined up in two rows and were given short branches. She was then forced to walk between the two rows of people while they whipped her with the switches. She was pulled through by one of the neck ropes while the other kept her from running through and thus shortening her beating. At the end of her walk she was covered with welts and a few small cuts. Salt was then rubbed in her wounds. Without any medical examination or sealing of her body she was tied to a wooden post. Her wrists and elbows were tied around the post in such a manner as to cause pain but also would prevent her from sliding down or twisting. I should perhaps describe her. She was a short buxom woman. Full figured with large breasts and a slightly protruding belly. She was shaved bald below her neck. I spent some time with the bowman executioner and learned he was one who had learned his skill from his father as had his father before him. He was able to place an arrow within a one inch circle at the ten pace range he was shooting at. 
    The condemned was allowed to watch the preparations but was blindfolded for the actual execution. The first arrow struck her just above her pubic bone and just slightly off to one side. She grunted in pain. I was surprised when there was no hurry to launch another one. Under tribal law a mother who kills her child must suffer the loss of her womb and be given time to suffer and to understand her crime. About thirty minutes later a second arrow was placed next to the first but on the other side of her body. With it she began to scream. A few minutes later a third struck her half way between the first two and her navel. There was another long wait during which she screamed loudly. Then he placed two more in quick succession on either side of the third. With five arrows planted in her guts the pain must have been exquisite. Number six hit her deep navel. Once more there was a long lapse of time before another arrow pierced her flesh. By now it had been over an hour since the execution had started. Her injuries had produced little blood and that was limited to what leaked from her sex. Just a thin trickle running down each leg. Almost nothing from the arrow wounds. 
    I could see her weakening. Her knees would buckle but she was always able to recover. Then the killing shots. One arrow through each nipple. She was unlucky enough to have her heart missed but her lungs were hit. Eight arrows were now killing her. The last two would sooner or later fill her lungs and she would drown in her own blood. A fitting end considering her crime. The executioner removed the string from his bow and cased it. He was done.  Once more all those present filed by her. The blindfold was removed to allow her to see each one walk up to her and spit on her. When the last of her disgrace was finished she was left to die. Alone except for one guard and myself, my duty requiring me to stay until she was dead. After three hours had passed she was enduring immense pain. Her body was wracked by fever and she was begging in a low voice for a drink. The guard summoned the elders and they conferred. She was promised drink in another hour. By then I doubt she was rational any longer. But she was offered the drink. She did not realize what cold water would do to one with her gut wounds. When she screamed in primal agony the breath being expelled from her body was mixed with blood. After she stopped screaming I could hear the wet sounds for her lungs. Not long now. Finally after five and a half hours it seemed she was dead. 
    Even though it appeared she had died she was left hanging on the post until morning before anybody went near her. By then she was stiff and cold. Only then was she declared dead. Her body was still left until dark. Then it was removed and taken to the forest to be left for the beasts to fight over. One who killed her child was herself left with no marker. She was wiped from the tribe’s memory except for the lesson of her horrible death.