Throughout our journey, at
every stopping-place, Apollyon had exercised his ingenuity in screwing
the most abominable sounds out of the whistle of the steam-engine; but
in this closing effort he outdid himself, and created an infernal
uproar, which, besides disturbing the peaceful inhabitants of
Beulah, must have sent its discord even through the celestial gates.
While the horrid clamor was still ringing in our ears, we heard
an exulting strain, as if a thousand instruments of music, with
height, and depth, and sweetness in their tones, at once tender and
triumphant, were struck in unison, to greet the approach of some
illustrious hero, who had fought the good fight and won a glorious
victory, and was come to lay aside his battered arms for ever. Looking
to ascertain what might be the occasion of this glad harmony, I
perceived, on alighting from the cars, that a multitude of shining
ones had assembled on the other side of the river, to welcome two poor
pilgrims, who were just emerging from its depths. They were the same
whom Apollyon and ourselves had persecuted with taunts and gibes,
and scalding steam, at the commencement of our journey- the same whose
unworldly aspect and impressive words had stirred my conscience,
amid the wild revellers of Vanity Fair.
"How amazingly well those men have got on!" cried I to Mr.
Pages:
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29