Колодець і маятник

           Theyhadissuedfromthewell,whichlayjustwithinviewtomyright. Eventhen,whileIgazed,theycameupintroops,hurriedly,withravenouseyes,alluredbythescentofthemeat. Fromthisitrequiredmucheffortandattentiontoscarethemaway. 

           Itmighthavebeenhalfanhour,perhapsevenanhour,(forincastmyIcouldtakebutimperfectnoteoftime)beforeIagaincastmyeyesupward. WhatIthensawconfoundedandamazedme. Thesweepofthependulumhadincreasedinextentbynearlyayard. Asanaturalconsequence,itsvelocitywasalsomuchgreater. Butwhatmainlydisturbedmewastheideathathadperceptiblydescended. Inowobserved—withwhathorroritisneedlesstosay—thatitsnetherextremitywasformedofacrescentofglitteringsteel,aboutafootinlengthfromhorntohorn; thehornsupward,andtheunderedgeevidentlyaskeenasthatofarazor. Likearazoralso,itseemedmassyandheavy,taperingfromtheedgeintoasolidandbroadstructureabove. Itwasappendedtoaweightyrodofbrass,andthewholehissedasitswungthroughtheair. 

           Icouldnolongerdoubtthedoompreparedformebymonkishingenuityintorture. Mycognizanceofthepithadbecomeknowntotheinquisitorialagents—thepitwhosehorrorshadbeendestinedforsoboldarecusantasmyself—thepit,typicalofhell,andregardedbyrumorastheUltimaThuleofalltheirpunishments.