Perchance, Master Benteen, you might be led to unite with me in a moment's fervent supplication before the throne of grace ?" "Ay; when the right time comes I will gladly join, yet I warn you now not to send your bull voice roaring through these passages, or you will have small opportunity for another meal." "A time to work and a time to pray has ever been my motto, most worthy youth, but my soul is so filled with gratitude at my providential deliverance from pagan bondage--even as was Daniel from the lions' den--I long to pour forth my joy in songs of praise.

Patience, but were I out of here, verily would I venture to uplift a psalm of Zion." He spoke in such ecstasy I feared lest his zeal might conquer his prudence, although in truth this latter virtue was one never apparent in his composition, and I determined once for all to nip in the bud all such inclination.

So I halted in the darkness, and, as he lumbered past, laid a restraining hand upon his shoulder.
"Now hark you, Ezekiel Cairnes," I muttered sternly, "I admire your piety, but this is no conventicle of the elect we are in; rather a place where your life, and those of others, depend on our caution.

The echoing of that bull voice along these galleries might cause the blocking of our passage, caging us in here like rats in a hole.

So hold quiet, Master Preacher, and let me hear no more about either prayers or psalms." The grave determination in my voice served to sober him.
"'T is in my blood," he admitted doggedly, "to fight and work better to the holy songs of Israel.