lly with the best there was."

The straining of cords, together with sound of struggle, bore evidence
that the Reverend Mr. Cairnes was making heroic effort to attain unto
that food offered before idols. That such strenuous effort was vain
was soon proven by the bursting forth of his voice once more.

"Oh, gracious Lord," he cried, in a tone evidencing more anger than
spiritual exaltation, "surely thy ancient servant Job never bowed
before greater affliction than this now visited upon me. Verily 't is
even as the experiences of the Apostle Paul, yet without his reward in
the flesh. I beseech Thee from the depth of humiliation--even as did
Daniel from the lions' den--loosen my arms that I may smite as with Thy
wrath this profaner of Thy most holy name, thus bringing peace unto the
smitten heart of Thy faithful servant. O Lord, what have I done to be
deserted in this hour of extremity? As Elijah called down fire from
Heaven, so I call upon Thee to smite with the terror of Thy might the
ranks of these foul idolaters. He who hath boldly proclaimed Thy truth
in the wilderness, who hath proven a faithful witness unto these
savages, through many years of trial and tribulation, doth now call
upon Thee in dire distress. Shall it be in vain, that he thus uplifts
his voice supplicating in the wilderness?"

His deep rumbling died away until I could distinguish little except
those moans with which he punctuated the conclusion of each sentence.
Finally, hearing no other sound to restrain me, I ventured to slightly
uplift one corner of the heavy curtain, and peer into the room. The
entrance opened upon the back of the rude platform, my position being
within less than three paces from the famine-stricken Puritan, who,
with low-bowed head and hidden face, was still wrestling in fervent
prayer. I was unable, from where I hid, to distinguish the form of the
crouching priest, yet knew he could not be far distant, and therefore I
durst not speak above a whisper lest the sound awaken his suspicion.

"Cairnes," I said softly, "hush that unseemly racket, man, and give
heed to my words."

Three times I was compelled to repeat this warning before I noticed him
lift his head, in evidence that the faint sound had finally reached his
ears. Unable to turn, he rolled his eyes inquiringly upward.

"What is it, O Lord?" he questioned, with such unbounded faith in a
celestial visitant I found it hard to restrain a laugh.

"Don't be a fo