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scream； in which there seemed to be distinguishable every kind of
wailing and wo； and bitter fierceness of wrath； all mixed up with
the wild laughter of a devil or a madman。 Throughout our journey； at
every stopping…place； Apollyon had exercised his ingenuity in screwing
the most abominable sounds out of the whistle of the steam…engine； but
in this closing effort he outdid himself； and created an infernal
uproar； which； besides disturbing the peaceful inhabitants of
Beulah； must have sent its discord even through the celestial gates。
While the horrid clamor was still ringing in our ears； we heard
an exulting strain； as if a thousand instruments of music； with
height； and depth； and sweetness in their tones； at once tender and
triumphant； were struck in unison； to greet the approach of some
illustrious hero； who had fought the good fight and won a glorious
victory； and was come to lay aside his battered arms for ever。 Looking
to ascertain what might be the occasion of this glad harmony； I
perceived； on alighting from the cars； that a multitude of shining
ones had assembled on the other side of the river； to welcome two poor
pilgrims； who were just emerging from its depths。 They were the same
whom Apollyon and ourselves had persecuted with taunts and gibes；
and scalding steam； at the commencement of our journey… the same whose
unworldly aspect and impressive words had stirred my conscience；
amid the wild revellers of Vanity Fair。
〃How amazingly well those men have got on！〃 cried I to Mr。
Smooth…it…away。 〃I wish we were secure of as good a reception。〃
〃Never fear… never fear！〃 answered my friend。 〃Come… make haste；
the ferry…boat will be off directly； and in three minutes you will
be on the other side of the river。 No doubt you will find coaches to
carry you up to the city gates。〃
A steam ferry…boat； the last improvement on this important route；
lay at the river…side； puffing； snorting； and emitting all those other
disagreeable utterances； which betoken the departure to be
immediate。 I hurried on board with the rest of the passengers； most of
whom were in great perturbation； some bawling out for their baggage；
some tearing their hair and exclaiming that the boat would explode
or sink； some already pale with the heaving of the stream； some gazing
affrighted at the ugly aspect of the steersman； and some still dizzy
with the slumberous influences of the Enchanted Ground。 Looking back
to the shore； I was amazed to discern Mr。 Smooth…it…away waving his
hand in token of farewell！
〃Don't you go over to the Celestial City？〃 exclaimed I。
〃Oh； no！〃 answered he with a queer smile； and that same
disagreeable contortion of visage which I had remarked in the
inhabitants of the Dark Valley。 〃Oh； no！ I have come thus far only for
the sake of your pleasant company。 Good bye！ We shall meet again。〃
And then did my excellent friend； Mr。 Smooth…it…away； laugh
outright； in the midst of which cachinnation； a smoke…wreath issued
from his mouth and nostrils； while a twinkle of lurid flame darted out
of either eye； proving indubitably that his heart was all of a red
blaze。 The impudent fiend！ To deny the existence of Tophet； when he
felt its fiery tortures raging within his breast！ I rushed to the side
of the boat； intending to fling myself on shore。 But the wheels； as
they began their revolutions； threw a dash of spray over me； so
cold… so deadly cold； with the chill that will never leave those
waters； until Death be drowned in his own river… that； with a shiver
and a heart…quake； I awoke。 Thank heaven； it was a Dream！
THE END
。