Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

52 RHYS LEWIS.
well in order. For the schoolmaster's greater comfort, Mr.
Bro-wu, conformably with his usual kindness, had caused a hole
to be bored in the partition, through which the wooden leg
might be thrust when its owner sat down. The schoolmaster's
comfort was not the only purpose achieved by this means. The
timber extremity protruded into the boys' pew "to the end"
that they might be perpetually reminded of the fact that he
whom they feared was near them, though unseen. So were
they kept within the bounds of decency.
Shortly after the service began, I found Will gazing con-
templatively at as much as was in sight of the wooden leg.
Next behold him taking from his pocket a length of thin, but
strong cord, the running knot on which showed clearly that
his was no unpremeditated plan. He got upon his knees and
gently slipped the knot round the tip of the timber toe, handing
me the other end of the cord, with the whispered words :
"When you feel a bite, keep your hold of the line," — referring
to the leg as if it were a fish. I dared not disobey. It was not
long before I got my bite. As is customary in Church, the
congregation rose to their feet, and the Soldier tried to do the
same. We heard him fall back in his seat like a lump of lead,
in which position we kept him during the whole of the service.
At first he bellowed and roared like a bull in a net, but hia
voice was speedily drowned by the mighty tones of the organ.
Will and I held on to the cord until we were blue in the face,
none of the other boys giving us any assistance, with the ex-
ception of Jack Beck, who, without waiting to be asked, rolled
up his sleeves and seconded us splendidly. The greater number
of them enjoyed our mischievous trick to such an extent that
they were obliged to hold their sides with laughter, and stuff
their handkerchiefs into their mouths to prevent themselves
from screaming. Others looked on in fear and trembling,
thinking only of the consequences. The Church cleaner's son
was the only one who seemed actually displeased. When the
service was being brought to a close. Will ordered John Beck to
take out his knife and cut the cord within a foot of the leg.
Beck having done so, Will instantly whipped the remainder into
his pocket, observing, "There he is now, like a hen which
doesn't come home to lay," alluding, doubtless, to the custom