pastoral visit to the Satanic Apostle of Dago.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER IV

The Sorcerer

The Master of the Tower of Dago spoke the truth. It was really the
powers of Darkness that helped him to make the rocks and water into
bread and wine. He also stated a simple fact when he declared that the
agent in the transformation was the furnace in the observatory at the
summit of the tower. It was in the following manner that this work of
sorcery was accomplished.

On a day when the position of the barometer and the cries of the
sea-gulls announced the approach of a storm, the Apostle of Dago
assembled his companions in a subterranean chamber of his tower. This
vault was called the "chapel." It contained a pulpit, from which the
Master himself was in the habit of exhorting his flock. It was,
indeed, a strange chapel!

And what frightful exhortations were these! Exhortations to the
perpetration of all manner of misdeeds and cruelty; the ten
commandments of God reversed; perpetual enmity towards all mankind,
and especially towards their own land, their dearest friends, their
fathers and brothers; sin in its deepest depths of depravity raised
aloft as a virtue; faithlessness and treachery the highest duty; and
the malediction of the world the most perfect bliss! Such was the
gospel of Dago.

While the Master uttered these doctrines his little son sat on the
pulpit steps at his feet, so that he might early imbibe the frightful
precepts in all childish simplicity, and continue their propagation
when his father should have gone to his own place. The song of praise
was never raised in that chapel; only the sound of scornful, scoffing
laughter was ever heard.

"Overthrow the ten commandments! Be false; covet what is thy
neighbour's; kill, steal, dishonour thy father, thy father's father,
and the greatest father of all--the Tsar! Seek out for thyself a
lovely flower whose name is woman; pluck it--then crush it, and cast
it away when all its fragrance is fled!"

Doubtless the child understood but little as yet of such doctrines as
those to which he was compelled to listen.

"To-night or to-morrow we hold high festival!"

Upon this announcement being made the inmates hastened to bring their
small boats out of their concealment in the vault. These vessels were
constructed to hold three men each, and were made of light wood
covered with stout leather. They were then placed in readiness in a
narrow