Nightmare Fuel / Old Mortality

• At his trial Macbriar is subjected to the boot.
  ...[The executioner's] mallet instantly descended on the wedge, and, forcing it between the knee and the iron boot, occasioned the most exquisite pain, as was evident from the flush which instantly took place on the brow and on the cheeks of the sufferer. The fellow then again raised his weapon, and stood prepared to give a second blow.
  • The worst part? This was a real method of torture used at the time, and Macbriar is believed to be based on a Covenanter who really was tortured this way.

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