The Twin Hells: A Thrilling Narrative of Life in the Kansas and Missouri PenitentiariesReynolds, John N. (John Newton)
History
The Twin Hells: A Thrilling Narrative of Life in the Kansas and Missouri Penitentiaries
Reynolds, John N. (John Newton)
Prisons -- Kansas; Prisons -- Missouri
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 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 emerge--for there is no hope for those who enter
there--thou 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 mass. Drowsiness now took
control of me. Half awake, half asleep, I seemed to dream. Far above
me and in the distance I saw the beautiful city of which we read in the
Bible. How wonderfully beautiful were its walls of jasper. Stretching
out and away in the distance I saw vast plains covered with beautiful
flowers.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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