For four months Euldij Ali gloated over the daily tortures he was inflicting on Geronimo. At last the sameness of cruelty palled upon him, and he was determined to invent a new and more hideous revenge for the stubbornness of his captive. One morning the desired idea came to him. Examining the works of a fort by the gate of Bab-el-Oned, he saw a block of beton standing by the great stones. This block was a mould in the shape of the immense stones, filled with a kind of concrete. When the concrete was sufficiently hardened, the wall was to be built with it.
Here was the height of torture. Here was the most exquisitely painful death man might devise! The dog of a slave should be laid in a similar mould, the liquid plaster poured over him, and the renegade, built alive into the wall, should be converted into stone. Calling a mason he said: “Michel, you see this empty mould of beton? For the present leave it. I have a mind to make beton of that dog of Oran who refuses to come back to the faith of Islam.”
The poor mason finished his day’s work with a sad heart. As soon as he entered the prison where Geronimo was a captive he informed him of Euldij Ali’s intention. Geronimo calmly answered, “God’s holy will be done. Let not those miserable men think they will frighten me out of the faith of Christ by the idea of this cruel death. May my blessed Saviour only pardon my sins, and preserve my soul.”
The whole of that night the brave young Arab spent in prayer and preparation for the tortures which he knew were awaiting him. Between two and three o’clock the next morning a guard summoned him to the Pasha’s presence, where stood a great multitude of Turks and Arabs in their gorgeous robes. He was then dragged to the gate of Bab-el-Oned, being beaten all the way. Euldij Ali addressed him slowly and clearly. He pointed out every detail of the fearful death, showed him the block of beton, and then said: “Do you still refuse to return to the faith of Islam?” “I am a Christian, and as a Christian I will die,” was Geronimo’s answer. “As you will,” replied the Pasha. Pointing to the beton, he said, “Then here shall you be buried alive.” “Do your will. Death shall not make me abandon my faith.” The Pasha raised his hand. The soldiers stepped forward and removed the chain from the prisoner’s leg. His hands were bound behind his back, his legs crossed and tied together. Then, lifting the poor man, they laid him face downward in the mould. A renegade Spaniard named Tamango, desiring to show what a fervent Mahometan he was, jumped on Geronimo’s body and broke his ribs. This act so pleased Euldij Ali that others followed his example. The plaster was then poured over him, and the brave Christian was suffocated.
Three hundred years later the noble Arab’s martyrdom was brought to light and the story verified. In the museum of Algiers is the cast. It shows a slight figure, a face with veins all swollen, a poor mouth closed with a patient determined expression, hands tied, legs swollen, even the broken ribs are distinguished. He was “faithful unto death.”
REWARD OF FAITHFULNESS.
When Petrarch was crowned at Rome, it was by the supreme magistrate of the Republic. Twelve youths were arrayed in scarlet. Six representatives of the most illustrious families, in green robes, with garlands of flowers, witnessed the scene. When the laurel crown was placed on his head, the magistrate said, “This is the reward of merit.” And the people shouted, “Long live the poet.” But you, my boy, if faithful to the end shall be crowned in the presence of all the high dignitaries of heaven, by King Jesus, with a crown that fadeth not away, and a radiance that vies with the brightness of blazing suns as they run their eternal course.
My boy, with what better exhortation can this volume close than, “Be faithful”? Being the architects of your own weal or woe, be courageous like Joshua, self-reliant like Nehemiah, obedient like Abraham, persevering like Jacob, decisive like Moses, administrative like Solomon, above reproach like Daniel, long suffering like Paul, self-disciplined like David, prayerful like Elijah, masters of passions like Joseph, bold like Peter, self-surrendered like Noah, Godlike like Enoch, faith-acting like Abel, and in all things, with all persons, at all time exemplify the spirit of the Christ.
Be faithful. Faithful to your Christian profession, faithful to your church, faithful to Christ, faithful under all circumstances and in all places, faithful unto death. Above the grave of his hero Homer inscribed the words, “He was a brave man.” Above his hero Plato wrote, “He was a wise man.” Above his hero Alcibiades said, “He was a rich man,” but the motto for the Christian’s tomb is that which is sculptured beneath Lincoln’s great name and which he wished above all things history might write of him: “He was faithful.” And that of Rev. Henry Weston Smith, who was killed by the Indians while on his way from Deadwood, Dakota, to preach at Crook City, “Faithful unto death.”
When Allen K. Capron was killed at Las Guasimas, his father lifted the hat that covered his face, and said, “Well done, my boy.” May others say of you, “He was faithful,” and may Christ say to you, “Well done!”