who had been in two pitched battles, and Ben screamed, and needed to
be held in Stead's arms to console him.

Jeph had no mind to pursue his researches any further. He only
tarried long enough to let Patience pick out half-a-dozen thorns from
his cheeks and hands, and to declare that if he had not to march to-
morrow, he should bring that singular Christian man, Captain Venn, to
exorcise the haunt of Apollyon. Wherewith he bade them all farewell,
with hopes that by the time he saw them again, they would have come
to the knowledge of the truth.

No sooner was he out of sight among the bushes than Emlyn seized on
Rusha, and whirled her round in a dance as well as her more
substantial proportions would permit, while Steadfast let his
countenance expand into the broad grin that he had all this time been
stifling.

"What _do_ you think it was?" asked Patience, still awestruck.

"Why--the old owl--and his own bad conscience. He might talk big,
but he didn't half like going against poor father. Thank God! He
has saved His own, and that's over!"




CHAPTER XV.

A TABLE OF LOVE IN THE WILDERNESS.