Smooth-it-away, with a smile. "It is neither more nor less than the
door of a cavern, which they use as a smoke-house for the
preparation of mutton hams."
My recollections of the journey are now, for a little space, dim
and confused, inasmuch as a singular drowsiness here overcame me,
owing to the fact that we were passing over the Enchanted Ground,
the air of which encourages a disposition to sleep. I awoke,
however, as soon as we crossed the borders of the pleasant land of
Beulah. All the passengers were rubbing their eyes, comparing watches,
and con-gratulating one another on the prospect of arriving so
seasonably at the journey's end. The sweet breezes of this happy clime
came refreshingly to our nostrils; we beheld the glimmering gush of
silver fountains, overhung by trees of beautiful foliage and delicious
fruit, which were propagated by grafts from the celestial gardens.
Once, as we dashed onward like a hurricane, there was a flutter of
wings, and the bright appearance of an angel in the air, speeding
forth on some heavenly mission. The engine now announced the close
vicinity of the final Station-house, by one last and horrible
scream, in which there seemed to be distinguishable every kind of
wailing and wo, and bitter fierceness of wrath, all mixed up with
the wild laughter of a devil or a madman.
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