Waymark rose to his feet.

Slimy rose also, and at the same time took up a heavy piece of wood, looking like a piece of a cart-shaft, which had lain on the floor beside him.

His exclamation elicited no answer, and he spoke again, hoarsely as always, but with a calmness which contrasted strangely with the words he uttered.
"Do you believe in the devil and hell ?" "Why ?" returned Waymark, trying hard to command himself, and to face down the man as a wild beast has been known to be out-gazed.
"'Cos, by the devil himself, as 'll have me before many weeks is over, and by the fires of hell, as 'll burn me, if you stir a step, or speak a word above your breath, I'll bring you down just like they do the bullocks.

Y' understand!" Waymark saw that the threat was no idle one.

He could scarcely have spoken, had he wished.