Hastily the wondering child was taken from the room, and then Herbert fell into a disturbed slumber, in which he seemed to be holding converse with beings of another world, inquiring of them if they had enough to drink, and chiding the rich man for asking water, when he might as well call for brandy!
About noon he awoke and inquired for me. With some trepidation I approached him, for his eyes were those of a madman; but he meditated no harm, and only asked if I supposed that the Prayer Book laid upon the outside of his pillow, where the hag could see it, would have the effect of keeping her away.
“Perhaps so,” I said, at the same time placing it so that his heavy brown hair fell partially on it.
“Now, will some one pray—mother, you?” and his eyes turned imploringly towards the half crazed woman, who essayed to pray for the departing spirit.
“That’ll do—that’ll do,” he exclaimed, interrupting her. “It’s of no use spending your breath for me. It’s too late—too late—so the hag says, and she’s coming again, with myriads on myriads of fiends; but they can’t hurt me as long as this is here,” and his hand clutched convulsively for the book which lay beside him.
“The hymn book—the hymn book—bring that too,” he gasped, while a cold perspiration stood thickly upon his forehead.
It was brought and placed on the opposite side of his head.
“’Twon’t do—’twon’t do,” he sobbed. “All the hymns Dr. Watts ever wrote can’t help me, for they come nearer and nearer, as wolves hover round their prey. Is there no help, no escape?” he cried, with the energy of despair; adding, as a sudden look of joy lit up his ghastly features, “Yes—the Bible! Strange I have not thought of that before. The Bible will keep them at bay. Bring it, Anna, quick, for they are almost here.”
She obeyed; and grasping the word of God eagerly in his hands, he laughed aloud, saying, “Now, do your worst, ye fiends incarnate. The Bible will save me.”
There was a moment of perfect silence; and then, with a groan so full of anguish that I involuntarily stopped my ears to shut out the fearful sound, the Bible was loosed from the clammy hands, which for a brief instant fought fiercely in the empty air, and then dropped lifeless at his side.