titude to his last discredit.

How long? How long? As, motionless and bleeding, he gave no sign of
failing endurance, resentment kindled against his indomitable obstinacy,
and silence for his benefit no longer held. A mutter ran: 'The devil has
cared for his own--he cannot feel.' And to make sure that he had not
passed from consciousness, a torch was shifted to show his face. It was
pale as death, and beaded with great sweat; but his eyes were wide and
steady, so they cursed and went on.

The long-suffering northern spirit, the hardy carcass that did not give
out, excelling the make of the south, outstayed the patience of
animosity. High upon a clamour swelling anew one cried, 'Try fire!'
snatched a torch, and tested the substance of an arm. It was Philip. When
Christian's eyes struck at his he defied them with his thumb.

Yelled a confused chorus: 'There, see there! proof enough. Make an end of
the creature! Send him back to the devil by the way he came!' The note of
death was recognised of the victim; he blessed it, for his agony was
great.

But a little way on was the stretch of sand where, fourteen years before,
the sea had cast up a bright alien child. Thither was drawn the
half-killed boy; and there, made fast to a mooring-post, with his face
set to the sea, knee-deep in the tide, he was left to die. Along the
shore pickets were formed to preclude a miscarriage to justice; and
there, while the sea trod forward, the flame of mob violence died down to
its underglow of settled vengeance, and torches were douted and silence
fell as the eyes of men began to shirk their fellows', and their ears to
prickle at a word.

Christian lifted his head to comprehend immense clear spaces of sea and
night, and a black triumph. Not death was before him now, but a new life.
Hopeless patience departed before passions during long torture
suppressed, and infernal laughter rolled in his heart at the prospect of
a consummate vengeance when the powers of the sea should work with his
will. He knew she would come. Undoubting the extent of her knowledge, her
power, her gracious surveillance, he knew she would come, to offer a
splendid exchange for death. O excellent compensation! The touch of her
hand, the touch of her lips, the opening world of vast delight, and
therewith power to satiate all his hates.

With every breath torment heaved over him still; raging thirst was there
for fierce affliction, the cruel sting of brine touched his