Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 1 — page 22: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

12 brave a warrior as he had proven himself in the field, when his only fault, as it seemed to me then, was an excess of ani- ‘mal spirit. » My mind was made up instantly to try if I. could not gain his release by informing some one in authority—-Captam Bombard, for example—of the things I was privileged to know of the man, of the things I had seen him do, particularly of his chivalrous conduct in the matter of Mistress Joyce Eveleigh when she was in the hands of oe mob. ‘Would that I could be admitted to see . Trooper Bunyan,” I said to Okey, “ and have a word with Captain Bombard, if he be indeed concerned for my friend’s wel- fare.”’ “Lad,” said the cient. laying a hand on my shoulder, ‘abstain frem such ill as- sociation. Evil communications do car- rupt good manners. - Forget that thou hadst such a friend. Thou hast an honest. face—” | “ Koerget a friend? Then were I un- ‘ worthy of friendship!” I cried hotly; and leaving Sergeant Okey wagging his bead gloomily, I set off in search of the lock-up, which I found in due course. My Ironside cuirass, more than the statement that I had business with ‘Captain Bombard, won me instant acdmissien to the jail. We Ironsides were kings that day! As I walked along.the corridor lined on either side with cells, in which not a few of the prisoners were high royalist officers, I was for the moment surprised to be halted by no guard. The sentry was there, in- deed, and quite visible to my eyes. He paid no heed to my intrusion, did not even see me, even when I stood at his elbow and looked im upon the scene which so riveted his attention. The sentry was peering through the bars of a cell door at an odd picture. On the wooden board which served as bed and bench for a prisoner, sat Jack Bunyan, his face wrought into wobegone lines. On his knees lay a small book, wide open. As it was not his Geneva Bible, I surmised it must be “The Plain Man’s Pathway to Heaven,” which Ruth had given him. But he was not reading. His head was out,” ‘brother. Was it not in seoth that ye rang "THE ARGOSY. sunk on his breast-and his long arms dan- gled helplessly at his sides, his fingertips almost touching the flagged floor. Opposite him sat Captain Giles Bom- bard on a low stool. The God-fearing war- rior was haranguing the blasphemer and bell-ringer, whose late ribaldry had clearly given way to despair. “Trooper Bunyan,’ Bombard was say- ing sorrowfully, “ ye do deceive yourself.” .““T tell ye there is no hope for me,’’ Hob- goblin sullenly declared. ‘There is hope fer every sinner that re- penteth,” Bombard assured him. “ Aye,” said Jack mournfully, “but ’tis not. the penitent me that swears. "Tis a devil that possesses me like a roaring lion. "Twas that same evil possession which like- wise rang the bells—net I.’ ”’ “Then should this roaring lion be cast said Giles. “But think again, those bells to the glary of Ged, Who gave us this great victory? May He not have chesen thee His instrument for that thou wert a blasphemer in need of redemption?”’ ‘Not so,” said Hobgoblin stubbarnly. ‘‘ Heaven -did not urge me to play ‘ Sweet Wilham ’ on the bells!” “ Brother john,” said Bombard, who wore a rebe before a cutrass, “there are but two courses. First, I will pray fer thee. If that avails not to dislodge thy devil, then must ye even be exorcised.” And not a little te my astenishment— and admiration—the warrier captain got down upen his knees on the stone-flagged floor and began a petition to Heaven for the salvation of Hobgoblin Jack Bunyan, while that soul-tortured trooper stared des- | pairingly at the petitioner’s bowed head. At last Bombarg said “Amen,” and looked up rather expectantly at the gloom- ing red face of the possessed. © ‘“ How is it now with thee, Brother Bun- yan?” he asked hopefully. “Nothing ha’ gone out 0’ me,” said Jack. ‘Evil still sits upon my stomach like a heavy meal.” “Then,” said the God denving warrior solemnly, “orlly exorcism may avail. Art Willing to part with the evil By is in thee?” DOOLK C©