ploit against the harlot of abominations."

"Alas! my dear Mr. Strong, that is all very kind of you, to support my
breaking heart with such comfort; but, when he is gone, what will become
of me?"

"You will not be left desolate, my dear madam--you will be
supported--cheered--consoled. Captain my friend, how do you feel now?
Are you easier?"

"I am," replied the captain feebly--for he had not lost his
speech--"come near me, Strong."

"With pleasure, dear captain, as becomes my duty, not only as a friend,
but as an humble and unworthy minister of religion. I trust you are not
in danger, but, under any circumstances, it is best, you know, to be
prepared for the worst. Do not then be cast down, nor allow your heart
to sink into despair. Remember that you have acted the part of a zealous
and faithful champion on behalf of our holy Church, and that you have
been a blessed scourge of Popery in this Pope-ridden country. Let that
reflection, then, be your consolation. Think of the many priests you
have hunted--and hunted successfully too; think of how many bitter
Papists of every class you have been the blessed means of committing
to the justice of our laws; think of the numbers of Popish priests
and bishops you have, in the faithful discharge of your pious
duty, committed to chains, imprisonment, transportation, and the
scaffold--think of all these things, I say, and take comfort to
your soul by the retrospect. Would you wish to receive the rites and
consolations of religion at my hands?"

"Come near me, Strong," repeated Smell-priest. "The rites of religion
from you--the rights of perdition as soon, you hypocritical scoundrel;"
and as he spoke he caught a gush of blood as it issued from his
mouth and flung it with all the strength he had left right into the
clergyman's face. "Take that, you villain," he added; "I die in every
sense with my blood upon you. And as for my hunting of priests and
Papists, it is the only thing that lies at this moment heavy over my
heart. And as for that wife of mine, I'm sorry she's not in my place.
I know, of course, I'll be damned; but it can't be helped now. If I go
down, as down I will go, won't I have plenty of friends to keep me in
countenance. I know--I feel I'm dying; but I must take the consequences.
In the meantime, my best word and wish is, that that vile jade shan't
be permitted to approach or touch my body after I am dead. My curse upon
you both! for you brought me to this untime