The fellow made so fierce a struggle, mistaking me for an assistant of the fiend, my fierce hold was jerked loose, and I was hurled heavily backward at full length upon the stones, striking with no pleasant force upon my shoulder.
"Verily have I overcome the Devil by Thy strength, O Lord!" he began fervently.
"Be still, you red-headed Connecticut fool," I commanded sharply, now thoroughly aroused.

"Stop, or I 'll drive into you a leaden slug to silence that blundering tongue of yours for good and all.

Get up from your knees there, and play the man.

If needs be you must pray, keep grip on that bull voice of yours." "It makes small odds now," chimed in De Noyan with easier tone.

"The Devil, or what, has disappeared from the rock." I glanced up at his words, to find them true.