to aid her."

"Zounds! that sounds good from such lips. Why, you have just refused
much less."

"Yonder is an emissary of the Evil One."

"Keep your cowardly excuses to yourself. Whatever the woman may be,
she offers us a chance for our lives, provided only you will perform
her will in sundry matters."

He hesitated, his uncertain eyes shifting from her face to mine.

"What does this scarlet priestess of Baal require that I do?" he
questioned sullenly.

"Good lack, 'tis little enough even to satisfy your conscience. Merely
that you stand beside her on the platform, pretending converse, marking
carefully her every signal, and obeying it."

"I play no idolatrous mummery with her."

"Then may the devil fly away with you," I retorted, so enraged by this
time I could scarcely refrain from grappling him with my hands. "I go
to tell Madame of the fool you are."

He gave vent to a deep groan, rolling his eyes as was his habit in time
of trial, yet never removing his gaze from that red figure, standing
motionless as a statue, impatiently awaiting his decision.

"In the name of the holy prophets of Israel!" he snorted desperately at
last. "'T is, indeed, a grievous trial like unto that which befell
Daniel in the den of the lions. If I go upon yonder sinful platform
before these hosts of Satan, it will be only as led by the Almighty,
and that I may wrestle mightily in prayer for the redemption of the
heathen."

"I care not, man, so you go. Pray loud as you please, yet give heed to
the signals of the woman if you value your own life or ours."

Odds! it was a picture to see the fellow start on his unwelcome
mission, slouching through the ranks of the surprised savages with as
hangdog a look on his mournful countenance as though he mounted the
gallows. It was with faint hope as to the result that I watched him
lumber onto the platform, doubting not he would perform some crazy
trick to offset any good he might endeavor. I could scarce restrain a
smile as the two actors faced each other, marking the look of
undisguised horror on his leathern face, and how he shrank back as her
hand extended to touch him. The wild, discordant cries of the grouped
savages ceased in wonderment at this unanticipated scene; even the
perpetual incantations of the priests died away, every eye gazing
curiously on the strange spectacle. The Puritan had appropriated one
of De Noyan's hats, broad of brim, and so ample of crown the high