'Because, I am no match for the devil,' said Bolton; 'and you, Harris—did you stand your ground?'
'Stand it? Yes, long after you had left it, and it was not till the monster was directly upon me, that I began to retreat.'
'Retreat! you retreat?' said Bolton; 'why, you said the devil would flee at the first word you uttered. I am afraid, Harris, you are not so much of a saint as you thought.'
'Saint!' replied the indignant Harris, 'it would take an army of saints to drive off such a dragon as he who assaulted me. I tell you, Bolton, if I had not been a saint I should have been consumed by the flames that surrounded me. But thank God, I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion!'
'Shall we venture into the house?' said Bolton; 'it is now clear daylight, and as dragons are abroad only in the night, I think we may go in with safety.'
'I will go,' said Harris; 'my courage revives, and methinks I could even face the dragon again. Oh! Bolton, it is a great thing to have a good conscience!'
'It is a better thing, so far as safety is concerned, to have nimble feet,' replied Bolton. 'I believe you and I, Harris, must trust more to these than to any special friendship with conscience.'
'We are both sinners, Bolton, and saints too, I hope,' said Harris; 'but look, every thing seems natural about the house; there is no mark of fire or brimstone. I have faith to believe that last prayer of mine was not fruitless.'
As the jailer uttered this, they entered the door, and the first objects they saw were the horns, cloak and appurtenances of Strale. A note was seen on the table, and Harris hastily opening it, read as follows:
'The bird has flown. Faithful guards, what account will ye give of your stewardship? Thanks to your superstition and folly, they have given us that, which we sought in vain from your sense of justice and humanity. The wicked flee when no man pursueth. If ye tremble and flee before the painted symbol of Satan, what will ye do when you meet the arch Enemy face to face?
Walter Strale.'