“Follow me—quietly,” whispered Father Keenan to the two boys, Clarence and John.
In single file the three threaded their way through the shrubbery. Suddenly the Rector paused, and put his finger to his lips.
“Listen,” he said.
“Ben,” came a clear, sweet voice, “do you believe everything that the Catholic Church believes and teaches?”
There was a response pitched so low that the listeners as they pressed steadily1 forward failed to hear it.
“And do you forgive all who have injured you?”
Clarence thought he could detect Ben’s voice saying—“Yes, yes: I do.”
“And do you forgive Pete?”
“Yes, from my heart.” The three were now quite near and the deeper voice of Ben could clearly be heard.
“And, Ben,” continued the silvery voice, “you wish to die a Catholic?”
“I do—I do.”
“And to be baptized?”
“Yes, Dora.”
“You must know, Ben, that when no priest can be had, anyone may, in case of necessity, baptize. Now, I am going to the river for water; and while I’m gone tell God that you are sorry for your sins.”
Suddenly, the flap of the tent was thrown back, and Dora, like some heavenly apparition2, stood revealed. Her face was stained with tears. For the rest, she was in modesty3, in expression in dress—blue and white—a Child of Mary.
“Dora,” cried Clarence, no longer able to contain himself. “O, Clarence,” cried the child throwing herself into his arms. “Pete has killed Ben. He stabbed him an hour ago, because Ben defended the statue of our Blessed Mother from Pete and his wife. They were going to burn it.”
“Dora,” said Clarence, “there’s a priest here.” And he pointed4 to Father Keenan.
“O, thank God! thank God! He has sent you to prepare Ben,” and the child threw herself at Father Keenan’s feet, and in all reverence5, kissed his hand.
The practical Father Keenan, as she did so, took the glass from her fingers, and handed it to Rieler.
“Run to the river, John, and get some water.” Then raising Dora kindly6, and throwing his hands above his head, the preconcerted signal, the Rector hastened into the tent.
“Dora! Dora!” came a deep voice as the girl was about to follow the priest.
Clarence turned. Will Benton, pale as a sheet, his eyes starting from their sockets7, was hastening toward them. He was holding out his arms toward the girl, amazement8 and incredulity upon his face.
Dora turned. An astounding9 change came at once upon her face at sight of Will Benton. Pure joy irradiated it.
“O Will! my dear Brother Will,” she cried; and darting10 forward threw herself into his outstretched arms.
“But,” cried Will, as he caught her up and pressed her to his bosom11, “you were drowned. We buried you.”
“No, you didn’t, Will. Thanks to our Blessed Mother, I was saved. A gypsy saved me, Will; and now he’s dying in my tent, dying because he gave his life to save me from the gypsy leader and to preserve our Blessed Mother’s statue from insult. Come, Will, let us see him before he dies.”
Clarence and John Rieler, grouped together and holding each others hands, stood stock-still gazing open mouthed. They looked at each other, as Will and Dora made for the tent, with unutterable awe12. Speech was inadequate13; and still linked together they followed the brother and sister within.
On Dora’s couch, above him the dear statue for which he had given his life, lay Ben, the sweat and the pallor of death upon his face. On one side, his wife was staunching vainly a gash14 in his side. On the other, leaned the Rector, talking earnestly in low tones to the dying man. No king could have been more stately in life than was Ben in his dying moments. No saint could have been more humble15. Crouching16 in one corner, wide-eyed and silent, were Ben’s three little children.
“Are all here?” asked the Rector rising and gazing around. “I want you all to see Ben baptized.”
“O dear Ben, we are all here and we all love you,” cried Dora. “And here’s my brother Will, come to see you, too. Will, Ben has been so good to me. I love him as though he were another father.”
The dying man turned dark, wistful eyes to the big brother.
“Will you forgive me? I love Dora,” he said simply.
“And I love anyone that is kind to my sister,” boomed forth17 Will Benton’s hearty18 voice. “Your hand, Ben. May God be as good to you as you have been to her.”
“Clarence,” cried the dying man, “will you forgive me too. I have been bad, I am sorry.”
Clarence essayed to speak, but before he could enunciate19 a syllable20 fell to blubbering. But he caught Ben’s hand and fondled it.
“I am glad I was stabbed,” said Ben simply, “in trying to save that statue of the very good woman who was the mother of God, I believe. I want to be baptized.”
John Rieler was dabbing21 his eyes.
“Let all kneel down,” said the Rector.
Even the gypsy children, following the example of Dorcas, fell upon their knees, and then, the priest pouring water on Ben’s head said solemnly, “I baptize thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.”
Dora slipped over and pressed her lips to the newly regenerated22 one’s brow. Dorcas followed the child’s example and, turning to the priest, said:
“Father, baptize me and my children.”
“Not yet, my child,” said Father Keenan. “Wait a little longer, so it can be done in church. Boys, kneel down, while we say the prayers for the dying.”
Suddenly Ben raised his head.
“Clarence and Dora,” he cried.
“Yes,” answered both coming to his bedside.
“Take care of Dorcas, my wife, and my children. Make them good Catholics.”
“Yes, Ben,” said Dora.
“Yes, Ben,” said Clarence.
“O,” said the poor fellow—poor, that is according to the world’s standard—“how happy I am. I am ready to——”
He fell back unconscious.
The Rector who had taken out his “Excerpts from the Roman Ritual,” began, at once, the Litany of the Dying. Before the final invocation was uttered, Ben, the simple, the loving, the repentant23, breathed his last.
“Let all leave the tent,” said Father Keenan, on coming to an end of the prayers for the dying, “except the wife and the children. Wait for me without. I will be with you in a few minutes.”
Dora, weeping freely, caught her big brother’s arm. Clarence and John followed the two. There was, quite near the river, an avenue formed by nature, a clear space of nearly a hundred yards in length, bounded on the river side by willows24 and cottonwoods with a dense25 growth of shrubbery below, on the other by majestic26 elms. Up and down this court of nature walked brother and sister followed by the two amazed boys. The stabbing of Ben, his beautiful death, the reuniting of brother and sister had come together so closely, one upon the heels of the other, that Clarence and John were almost speechless. When they did speak, it was in interjections.
Will quickly comforted his little sister. His task was, indeed, not so difficult. News from home, news of the dear ones is to the exile one of the most engrossing27 things in the world. And it was all good news. Everyone was well, business was flourishing; the only sorrow that had fallen upon the family was the loss of Dora—and that sorrow was now turned into exquisite28 joy for Will, as it would be for his parents and the children when they received the good tidings by wire that very day.
“And, Will,” said Dora, “I don’t regret all that has happened. It was bitter to be away from mama and all the dear ones at home; and it was hard to miss Holy Communion; and I was so afraid of Pete and his wife all the time; but it’s all over now. Tomorrow, please God, I will go to Communion once more; and then home, home, home!”
The child’s eyes shone with joy. They had reached the end of the avenue, and turning started back. Clarence and John were now in the advance.
“As likely as not,” said Will, holding his sister’s hand, “father, on getting the telegram tonight, will take the train at once. I’m sure he will; and if mother can get away, she will come, too. I’ll wire them on the road back to Campion. But why, Dora, do you say you’re not sorry for all that happened?”
He paused, as he asked this question, directly before a thick clump29 of bushes, and, catching30 Dora’s two hands in his, gazed lovingly and eagerly into her starry31 eyes.
“Because,” answered the girl simply, “I believe I have helped to save the soul of dear, good, kind Ben. Oh, how happy I was when the priest poured the water on him and baptized him in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.”
Will Benton, still gazing into the eyes of his sister, thought he heard proceeding32 from the bushes which he was facing a low, sibilant sound. It was not the hiss33 of a snake; it was the hiss of hate. His keen eyes darted34 from Dora’s and peered into the bushes. In a flash he threw the girl violently to one side, flinging her to the ground, and with a spring crashed into the shrubbery. He was not a moment too soon. Behind the bushes, an immense boulder35 in his right hand, a man, whose eyes shot hate and whose features were demon-like with passion, was in the very act of bringing it down upon the unsuspecting girl’s head.
It was not a moment too soon: Ben caught the man’s upraised arm and gave it a wrench36 which sent the boulder thudding to the earth. That wrenched37 arm was never to be used again. A howl of pain arose which was stilled as suddenly as it began; for, still holding the paralysed arm in his grasp, Will Benton struck out with his left hand. It was an awful blow. Its receiver as it struck him under the jaw38 lost voice, and crumpled39 to the earth.
“Oh!” cried Dora, who had arisen, “it’s Pete.”
Will Benton drew the girl to his side.
“I know now,” he exclaimed, “why you feared him. I saw his face for a second, and there was murder in it, murder and hell.”
The two boys who, hearing the short-lived scream of the gypsy, had turned in time to see the memorable40 blow which had brought Pete to earth, were gazing in awe at the Prefect of the Sodality. It was something to be remembered. It was a blow which was to go down in the traditions of Campion College. For Pete, the murderer of Ben, the would-be murderer of Dora, never came to face trial. He lingered for several weeks. But the blow made trial unnecessary.
“O Will!” cried John Rieler, “how did you manage to see him hiding there?”
“He gave himself away,” answered the young giant. “His fury and hatred41 got the better of him. When Dora spoke42 about Ben’s dying a Catholic and used the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, he couldn’t stand it. He had his arm raised holding that stone, and was just about to bring it down on Dora’s head. A hiss escaped him, and I spied him while his arm was still moving: and—and—I really don’t know how I caught him in time.”
Father Keenan arrived at this juncture43; and the two boys and Dora all began explaining at once. Out of the babel he gathered that Pete who, after stabbing Ben, took flight with his wife and kinsfolk, had returned—as murderers sometimes do—to find out the result of the stabbing; how his hatred goaded44 him on to attempt Dora’s life, and how the brother with lightning speed had inflicted45 with his one hand a wrench, and with the other a blow which no one who had seen them could ever forget.
“Dan,” called Father Keenan to the chauffeur46, having ascertained47 that Pete was alive, “get busy. Bring Pete to the Sheriff at Lynxville; hire another automobile—a large one for Dorcas and her children. We are going to bring Ben’s body to Prairie du Chien. I shall go with them. And come back here as fast as you can. We’ll be ready to start long before that.”
The Rector and the chauffeur put the insensible Pete in the tonneau.
“One moment, Dan,” said Will Benton, who had taken out a pad and written a few lines. “If Father Rector has no objection, I’d like you to send this telegram to my father.” Then he read aloud: “Dora alive, well, and found. She is with me. Hurrah48!—Will Benton.”
“Good for you, Will,” said the Rector. “Your mind works as well as your fists. Thank you, for reminding me.”
Before the return of the chauffeur, the Gypsy camp was dismantled49, the tent, converted into a shroud50 for Ben, the furniture abandoned, and the precious statue placed in the hands of Dora, who vowed51 she would keep it as long as she lived.
Master John Rieler took little hand in these preparations for departure. He could not remove his eyes from the giant Prefect of the Sodality. Will Benton was considered the gentlest boy in attendance at Campion College. John was bursting to be back and to tell the boys the wonderful blow he had seen with his own eyes.
The kind Rector gave all his attention to Dorcas and her children. He soothed52 as much as was in his power the awful hours when death is the family visitant. The machines arrived sooner than they were expected. The Rector went off first with the sorrowing wife, her children and the dead.
John still stood staring wide-eyed at Will Benton; remained thus while the young man assisted his sister into the machine and followed himself.
“Oh, it is excellent to have a ‘giant’s strength,’” said Clarence, catching John’s arm.
Rieler came to from his trance, and smiled enthusiastically. “Oh, Crickey!” he answered, “you bet it is.”
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1
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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6
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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7
sockets
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| n.套接字，使应用程序能够读写与收发通讯协定(protocol)与资料的程序( Socket的名词复数 )；孔( socket的名词复数 )；（电器上的）插口；托座；凹穴 | |
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8
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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9
astounding
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| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
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10
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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11
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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12
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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13
inadequate
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| adj.(for,to)不充足的，不适当的 | |
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14
gash
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| v.深切，划开；n.(深长的)切(伤)口；裂缝 | |
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15
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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16
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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17
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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enunciate
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| v.发音；（清楚地）表达 | |
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syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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21
dabbing
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| 石面凿毛，灰泥抛毛 | |
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regenerated
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| v.新生，再生( regenerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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23
repentant
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| adj.对…感到悔恨的 | |
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willows
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| n.柳树( willow的名词复数 )；柳木 | |
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25
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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26
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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27
engrossing
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| adj.使人全神贯注的，引人入胜的v.使全神贯注( engross的现在分词 ) | |
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28
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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31
starry
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| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
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32
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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33
hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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34
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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35
boulder
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| n.巨砾；卵石，圆石 | |
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36
wrench
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| v.猛拧；挣脱；使扭伤；n.扳手；痛苦，难受 | |
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37
wrenched
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| v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
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38
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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crumpled
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| adj. 弯扭的, 变皱的 动词crumple的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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42
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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43
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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44
goaded
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| v.刺激( goad的过去式和过去分词 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
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45
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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chauffeur
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| n.(受雇于私人或公司的)司机；v.为…开车 | |
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47
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
hurrah
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| int.好哇，万岁，乌拉 | |
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49
dismantled
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| 拆开( dismantle的过去式和过去分词 )； 拆卸； 废除； 取消 | |
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50
shroud
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| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
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51
vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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52
soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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