the twin hells(两个地狱)-第30节
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taken to the top； and on examination by the prison physician was
pronounced dead。 His remains were carried to the hospital； where he was
washed and dressed preparatory for interment。 His coffin was made and
brought into the hospital。 The chaplain had arrived to perform the last sad
rites prior to burial。 A couple of prisoners were ordered by the hospital
steward to lift the corpse from the boards and carry it across the room and
place it in the coffin。 They obeyed； one at the head and the other at the feet；
and were about half way across the room when the one who was at the
head accidentally stumbled over a cuspidor； lost his balance； and dropped
the corpse。 The head of the dead man struck the floor； and to the utter
surprise and astonishment of all present； a deep groan was heard。 Soon the
eyes opened； and other appearances of life were manifested。 The physician
was immediately sent for； and by the time he arrived； some thirty minutes；
the dead man had called for a cup of water； and was in the act of drinking
when the physician arrived。 The coffin was at once removed； and later on
was used to bury another convict in。 His burial robes were also taken from
him； and the prison garb substituted。 On an examination he was found to
have one of his legs broken in two places； and was otherwise bruised。 He
remained in the hospital some six months； and again went to work。 I
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learned of his peculiar experience while apparently dead； soon after； from
a fellow miner。 Prompted by curiousity； I longed for an acquaintance with
Lennox to get his experience from his own lips。 This opportunity was not
offered for several months。 At last it came。 After being removed from the
mines I was detailed to one of the prison offices to make out some annual
reports。 The subject of this man's return to life was being discussed one
day； when he happened to pass by the office door and was pointed out to
me。 It was not long until I had a note in his hand； and asked him to come
where I was at work。 He did so； and here I got well acquainted with him；
and from his own lips received his wonderful story。 He is a young man；
probably not over thirty years of age。 He is not a hardened criminal； is
possessed of a very good education； and naturally very bright。
The most wonderful part of his history was that during the time he was
dead。 Being a short…hand reporter I took his story from his dictation。 Said
he： 〃I had a presentiment all the morning that something terrible was
going to happen。 I was so uneasy on account of my feelings that I went to
my mining boss； Mr。 Grason； and told him how I felt； and asked him if he
would not come and examine my 'coal room；' the place where I was
digging coal。 He came； and seemed to make a thorough examination； and
ordered me back to work； saying； there was no danger； and that he thought
I was going 'cranky。' I returned to my work； and had been digging away
for something like an hour； when； all of a sudden； it grew very dark。 Then
it seemed as if a great iron door swung open； and I passed through it。 The
thought then came to my mind that I was dead and in another world。 I
could see no one； nor hear sound of any kind。 From some cause unknown
to myself； I started to move away from the doorway； and had traveled
some distance when I came to the banks of a broad river。 It was not dark；
neither was it light。 There was about as much light as on a bright star…lit
night。 I had not remained on the bank of this river very long until I could
hear the sound of oars in the water； and soon a person in a boat rowed up
to where I was standing。 I was speechless。 He looked at me for a moment；
and then said that he had come for me； and told me to get into the boat and
row across to the other side。 I obeyed。 Not a word was spoken。 I longed to
ask him who he was； and where I was。 My tongue seemed to cling to the
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roof of my mouth。 I could not say a word。 Finally； we reached the opposite
shore。 I got out of the boat； and the boatman vanished out of sight。 Thus
left alone； I knew not what to do。 Looking out before me； I saw two roads
which led through a dark valley。 One of these was abroad road； and
seemed to be well traveled。 The other was a narrow path that led off in
another direction。 I instinctively followed the well beaten road。 I had not
gone far when it seemed to grow darker。 Ever and anon； however； a light
would flash up from the distance； and in this manner I was lighted on my
journey。 Presently I was met by a being that it is utterly impossible for me
to describe。 I can only give you a faint idea of his dreadful appearance。 He
resembled a man somewhat； but much larger than any human being I ever
saw。 He must have been at least ten feet high。 He had great wings on his
back。 He was black as the coal I had been digging； and in a perfectly nude
condition。 He had a large spear in his hand； the handle of which must have
been fully fifteen feet in length。 His eyes shone like balls of fire。 His teeth；
white as pearl； seemed fully an inch long。 His nose； if you could call it a
nose； was very large； broad and flat。 His hair was very coarse； heavy and
long。 It hung down on his massive shoulders。 His voice sounded more like
the growls of a lion in a menagerie than anything I can recall。 It was
during one of these flashes of light that I first saw him。 I trembled like an
aspen leaf at the sight。 He had his spear raised as if to send it flying
through me。 I suddenly stopped。 With that terrible voice I seem to hear yet；
he bade me follow him； that he had been sent to guide me on my journey。 I
followed。 What else could I do？ After he had gone some distance a huge
mountain appeared to rise up before us。 The part facing us seemed
perpendicular； just as if a mountain had been cut in two and one part had
been taken away。 On this perpendicular wall I could distinctly see these
words； 'This is Hell。' My guide approached this perpendicular wall； and
with his spear…handle gave three loud raps。 A large massive door swung
back and we passed in。 I was then conducted on through what appeared to
be a passage through this mountain。 For some time we traveled in
Egyptian darkness。 I could hear the heavy footfalls of my guide； and thus
could follow him。 All along the way I could hear deep groans； as of some
one dying。 Further on； these groans increased； and I could distinctly hear
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the cry for water； water； water。 Coming now to another gateway； and；
passing through； I could hear； it seemed； a million voices in the distance；
and the cry was for water； water。 Presently another large door opened at
the knock of my guide； and I found that we had passed through the
mountain； and now a broad plain layout before me。 At this place my guide
left me to direct other lost spirits to the same destination。 I remained in
this open plain for a time； when a being somewhat similar to the first one
came to me； but； instead of a spear； he had a huge sword。 He came to tell
me of my future doom。 He spoke with a voice that struck terror to my soul。
'Thou art in hell；' said he； 'for thee all hope is fled。 As thou passed through
the mountain on thy journey hither； thou didst hear the groans and shrieks
of the lost as they called for water to cool their parched tongues。 Along
that passage there is a door that opens into the lake of fire。 This is soon to
be thy doom。 Before thou art conducted to this place of torment never
more to emergefor there is no hope for those who enter therethou shalt
be permitted to remain in this open plain； where it is granted to all the lost
to behold what they might have enjoyed； instead of what they must suffer。'
With this I was left alone。 Whether the result of the terrible fright through
which I had passed I know not； but now I became stupified。 A dull languor
took fall possession of my frame。 My strength departed from me。 My
limbs longer refused to support my body。 Overcome； I now sank down a
helpless
