Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-08-27


 It was all tho work of moment--a shriek, splash, and then silence. How long the si- lenee lasted I cannot tell. What happened neSt-whether cried or tainted, looked or shut my eyes-is to mo an absolute blank. Only I remember gradually waking up to the fact thnt the Captain was standing over me, wiping his knife on a piece of weed he had picked up on the rock, and regarding me with n steady stare.
 I now suppose that during those few mo- ments my life hung in the balance; but at the time was too dazed and stunned to compre- bend anything The Captain slowly replaced his knife, hcsitated, went to tho ledge and peered over, and then finally came back to me.
 Are you the kind of boy that's talkative? His voice was sweet as ever, but his eyes were scorching me like live coals. suppose l must have siynitied my denial, for he went on
 "You heard what he called me? He called me devil a devil mark you ; and that's what am."
 In my state of mind I could believe anything so easily believed this.
 Being a devil, naturally l can hear what little boys say, no matter where I am ; and when little boys are talkative I can reach them, no matter how they hide. I como on them in bed sometimes, and sometimes from behind when they arc not looking; there's no escaping me. You've heard of ApollSon per haps? We'll that's who l am."
 l had heard of Apollyon in Bunyan; and I had no douht he was speaking the truth.
 II catch little boys when they are not look ing. and carry them of, and then their fathers and mothers don't see any more of them. But they die very slowly, very slowly indeed-yOu will find out how if ever l catch you talking" But did not at all want to know; l WAS A.Nl E.>1 for, after staring at mo a little longer. he told me to get up and go down tho rock in front of him.
 The agonies I suffered during that descent no pen can describe. Every moment ex- pected to feel my shoulder gripped from be- hind, or to feel the hands of some mysterious and internal power around my neck. Close behind nae followed my companion, hun- ming
 And the devil has got his due. my lads Sing hey! but he waits for your
 And though I was far from singing hoy at the prospect. I felt that ho meant what he said
 Arrived at the foot uf the rock, We passed through the archway on 70 Ready Money Cove Turning down to the edge of the sea, the Cap tain scanned the water narrowly. but there was no trace of the hapless John. With a muttercu curse. he began quickly to climb out
 
 1 the sea-levcl, and looked again into the depths Once more he was disappointed. Ringing of his clothes, he divcd again and again. until from sheer exhaustion he crept out, bundled on his shirt and trousers, and climbed back tC me.
 "Cursc him whcro can he be?' now saw for the first timo how terribly worn and famishcd the man was; he looked like a wolf, and his white teeth were bare in his rage. He had cut his foot on the rock Still keeping his evil eye upon me- he knclt down by the waters edge and began slowly tc bathc the wound.
 By the way, boy, what did you say your namr was? Jasper? Jaspcr what?" Trrnoweth."
 Ten thousand tlrvils!
 He was on his feet, and had gripped me by the shoulder with furious clutch I turned sick and cold with terror. The blue sky swan and circlcd around me: then came mist and black darkness, lit only by the glcan of tive terrible eyes d shout.~And l knew no more