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Gissing, George, 1857-1903

"The Unclassed"

His behaviour might seem
cowardly, but--to say nothing of the loathsomeness of a wrestle
with Slimy--he knew very well that any struggle, or a shout for
help, would mean his death. He hesitated, felt ashamed, but looked
at Slimy's red eye, and lay down. In taking the position indicated,
he noticed that three very large iron hooks had been driven firmly
into the floor, in a triangular shape. Just beside the lower one of
these his feet had to rest; his head lay between the other two.
Slimy now proceeded to bind his captive's feet together with strong
cord, and then attach them firmly to the hook; then bidding him sit
up for a moment, he made his hands fast behind his back; lastly,
Waymark being again recumbent, a rope was passed once round his
neck, and each end of it firmly fastened to one of the remaining
hooks. This was not a pleasant moment, but, the operation completed,
Waymark found that, though he could not move his head an inch, there
was no danger of strangulation as long as he remained quiet. In
short, he was bound as effectually as a man could be, yet without
much pain. The only question was, how long he would have to remain
thus.
Slimy examined his work, and nodded with satisfaction.


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