If you are Christian men I beseech assistance." "Nor do you ask vainly.

Are you behind the wooden image ?" "Ay, in a small room hollowed out from the rock." "Except for that are you free to aid us in your escape ?" "No, Monsieur; I am lamed in limb, and fastened to the stone by a metal band." A hoarse growl of rage burst from the throat of the Puritan.

"Prophets of God!" he roared.

"Surely we are the selected instruments of the Lord sent hither for the salvation of this worthy man; we are the soldiers of Gideon, the chosen of the Most High." Before I could lift hand or voice in interference he had braced his massive shoulder against the towering figure of wood, and, with a mighty heave sent the monster crashing over upon the rock floor, himself sprawling beside it as it fell.

As they came down together in a cloud of dust, an opening was revealed behind the stone pedestal on which the idol had stood.