Part 5 (1/2)
The old priest was glad they were dead. Life after what they had suffered had been unthinkable. He thanked G.o.d for that oblivion. He wished that he, too, might die in that violated shrine where he had peacefully ministered for so long a time. They had taken the flock, the shepherd must follow. He should have led.
He had fought, oh, he had played the man for the honor of the poor lambs committed to him. Had he done right? Should he not have stood dumb before the shearers? They had shot him and stabbed him and beaten him into insensibility. The last thing he had heard was the shriek of one woman, the piteous appeal of another. They thought he was dead, but he was living. Why had he not died?
How could G.o.d be so cruel? This was war. This ruined sanctuary, these broken men and women who had sought only to serve Him! Was there a G.o.d indeed? Faith, hope, what were they? a.s.surance, trust? Words, words! Ah, how he suffered.
[Ill.u.s.tration: ”It is He,” whispered the priest. ”His sorrow was greater than mine.”]
It was bitter cold and yet he burned with fever. The tremors of pain so exquisite that they might almost be counted pleasure shot through his ruined, torn, broken figure, yet he recked little of these. It was the shame, the shame. He had been zealous for the Lord of Hosts. There was no G.o.d. Men were not made in any image save that of h.e.l.l. He could not move hand or foot, but he could see. He could speak. He could curse G.o.d and die.
As his lips framed that anathema he saw vaguely the figure of a stranger; a slender, wasted body, dark stains upon it in the moonlight.
It wore some kind of curious headgear. The man stared. The light was reflected from the sharp points of long thorns. A cloth was fastened about the loins. The figure stood very straight in the desecrated Holy of Holies. A light seemed to come from its face. Its eyes looked at the man with great pity. Slowly the figure raised its arms. Slowly the arms extended themselves; there were blood-stains in the palms of the hands.
”It is He,” whispered the priest. ”His sorrow was greater than mine.
Lord, I believe.”
He knew nothing more save that a great peace had suddenly stolen around him.
VIII
The Broken Hearted
”ONE OF THE SOLDIERS WITH A SPEAR PIERCED HIS SIDE”
VIII
The Broken Hearted
”I'll get that man if I die for it,” said the soldier. ”He's found the one position in the lines from which he can fire into our trenches.”
”It's easier said than done,” remarked his comrade, ”and the minute you cross that spot you come within his range. He'll put a bullet through you before you can level a rifle or press a trigger.”
”I'll not go that way,” said the man.
”What is your plan?”
”You know that salient yonder on the right? I'm going out of the trench there.”
”When?”
”Now. I'll wrap myself in white. That little run of coppice will cover me until I get within a few feet of him, then I'll have to chance it.”
”Wish I could help you, old man. I'd like to get that man. He's shot six of the best fellows in the company and--”
”You can help me by making a diversion to attract his attention. Keep him looking at that alley.”