"... Yes, I say--fall down--fall down all of you, on your knees!--shout!--cry aloud!--spare not!--stamp with the _foot_!--smite with the _hand_!--down! _down!_--that's it--down brethren!--down preachers!--down _sisters_!--pray away!--take it by storm!--_fire_ away! fire _away_! not one at a time! not two together-ah!--a single shot the devil will _dodge-ah_!--give it to him _all at once_--fire a _whole platoon_!--at him!!" And then such platoon firing as followed! If Satan stood that, he can stand much more than the worthy folks thought he could. And, indeed, the effect was wonderful!--more than forty thoughtless sinners that came for fun, and twice as many backsliders were instantly knocked over!--and there all lay, some with violent jerkings and writhings of body, and some uttering the most piercing and dismaying shrieks and groans! The fact is, I was nearly knocked down myself-- "You?--Mr. Carlton!!" Yes--indeed--but not by the hail of spiritual shot falling so thick around me; it was by a sudden rush towards my station, where I stood mounted on a stump. And this rush was occasioned by a wish to see a stout fellow lying on the straw in the pen, a little to my left, groaning and praying, and yet kicking and pummelling away as if scuffling with a sturdy antagonist. Near him were several men and women at prayer, and one or more whispering into his ear; while on a small stump above stood a person superintending the contest, and so as to insure victory to the right party. Now the prostrate man, who like a spirited tom-cat seemed to fight best on his back, was no other than our celebrated New Purchase bully--Rowdy Bill! And this being reported through the congregation, the rush had taken place by which I was so nearly overturned. I contrived, however, to regain my stand, shared indeed now with several others, we hugging one another and standing on tip-toes and our necks elongated as possible; and thus we managed to have a pretty fair view of matters. About this time the Superintendent in a very loud voice cried out--"Let him alone, brothers! let him alone sisters! keep on praying!--it's a hard fight--the devil's got a tight grip yet! He don't want to lose poor Bill--but he'll let go soon--Bill's gittin the better on him fast!--Pray away!"