..."
"I see his finish," said Ryder interestedly to himself--and he
thought of the analogy.
"So I stood before the chamber, and after a few moments' hesitation,
opened the door which was plated with red gold and entered. I was
met by a perfume whose like I had never before smelt; and so sharp
and subtle was the odor that it made my senses drunken as with
strong wine, and I fell to the ground in a fainting fit which lasted
a full hour. When I came to myself I strengthened my heart, and
entering found myself in a chamber bespread with saffron and blazing
with light.... Presently, I spied a noble steed, black as the murks
of night when murkiest, standing ready saddled and bridled (and his
saddle was of red gold) before two mangers one of clear crystal
wherein was husked sesame, and the other, also of crystal containing
water of the rose scented with musk. When I saw this I marveled and
said to myself, 'Doubtless in this animal must be some wondrous
mystery, and Satan--'"
"Satan the Stoned!" murmured Ryder's neighbor religiously.
"Satan cozened me, so I led him without and mounted him ... and
struck him withal. When he felt the blow he neighed a neigh with a
sound like deafening thunder and opening a pair of wings flew up
with me in the firmament of heaven far beyond the eyesight of man.
After a full hour of flight he descended and shaking me off his back
lashed me on the face with his tail, and gouged out my left eye,
causing it to roll along my cheek.
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