The bark had reached the galley. A ladder was lowered, and, aided by the

sailors, the party ascended the deck. The pilot gave the signal, the sails

were unfurled, the ship rocked for a moment as if courting the breeze,

and then it rapidly cleaved the waves.

The cannon again boomed from the Il Salvatore, and again the

acclamations of the crowd rent the air.

* * * * * The sounds had hardly died away when the spectators, as if impelled by one

thought, immediately retired, and made all speed to reach the central part

of the city.

The crowd which left the wharf so precipitately soon arrived at the grand

square, but they found it already occupied by so compact a mass of human

beings, that it was impossible for them to penetrate it. As far as the eye

could reach, there was a sea of heads; all the windows were crowded with

women and even children; the roofs swarmed with curious spectators; the

iron balustrades seemed to bend under the weight of the children who had

climbed upon them.

A solemn silence reigned in the midst of the vast multitude. Not a sound

was heard save the slow and mournful tolling of the death-bell, and at

intervals a scream so piercing, so frightful, that those who listened to

it turned pale and trembled. Every eye was fixed upon a particular spot,

whence clouds of smoke curled in the air, and from which escaped the cries

of distress.

What passed that day on the grand square of Antwerp is thus related by

Matthew Bandello, Bishop of Agen, who lived at that period, and who wrote

from the testimony of an eye-witness: * * * * * "Upon the appointed day, Simon Turchi was enclosed in the same chair and

driven on a wagon through the streets of Antwerp, the good priest

accompanying him and exhorting him. When they reached the grand square,

the chair was removed from the wagon. The executioners lighted a slow

fire, which they kept alive with wood, but in such a manner that the

flames should not rise too high, but sufficed to roast slowly the unhappy

Turchi. The priest remained as near to him as the heat permitted, and

frequently said to him: "'Simon, this is the hour for repentance!' "And Simon, as long as he could speak, replied: "'Yes, father.'"

* * * * * Simon Turchi evinced great repentance and much patience, and he accepted

with resignation the painful and infamous death to which he was condemned.

When it was certain that he was dead, his body, partially consumed, was

conveyed outside the city gates and attached to a stake by an iron chain.

The dagger with which he had stabbed Geronimo was thrust into his side.

The stake was so placed on the public road that it could be seen by all

who passed, in order that the punishment inflicted for murder might serve

as a warning to others, and prevent the commission of infamous crimes.




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