The Fiery Ring

by Gilbert, Morris

  Write me, and let’s keep in touch. You can write to general delivery at Denton, Texas. We’ll be there next week, and I’ll pick up the mail there. God bless you, dear brother, and may the Lord make His face to shine upon you.

  For a long time Chase sat staring at the letter, and even as he did, depression settled on him. He had been contented enough to throw himself into his work with Jack, but deep down he knew he would not be content forever. Getting up, he went to stare out the window but saw only the house next door half hidden by spiky Spanish bayonet plants. The thought of Joy in the cage with over a dozen ferocious beasts scraped against his nerves. He stood at the window for a long time, and still he could not move. He heard his mother calling, “Supper’s about ready, Chase,” and he broke away from the window. He scrubbed his hands and face before going in to eat.

  At supper, he ate mechanically and spoke little. When Jack left the house to attend his meeting at the Lions Club, of which he was a proud member, Chase went into the living room and sat down in an overstuffed chair by the radio. He tuned in to a news report and heard a politician by the name of Herbert Hoover delivering a campaign speech in his bid for the presidency. Not having paid much attention to politics, Chase did not know the man, but his ears perked up at Hoover’s catchy slogan: “A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.”

  The announcer then spoke of Miss Amelia Earhart of Atchison, Kansas, an aviator who had flown across the Atlantic in a plane, the first woman ever to do so, albeit as a passenger, not the pilot.

  Chase half listened to the rest of the news, but then a program of music from a ballroom in New Orleans began, and he lost himself in his thoughts. He was startled when a hand fell on his shoulder, and he glanced up to see his mother looking down at him.

  “What’s the matter, son? Was the letter bad news?”

  “I guess it was, in a way.”

  Lucille sat down on the couch across from him and said, “Is it anything you can tell me about?”

  “I guess I can, Mom. Maybe that’s why I came all the way back home. I’ve been wanting to tell you something.”

  “I bet I can guess what it is—part of it anyway.”

  As Chase’s mother watched him calmly, waiting for him to explain, he remembered how she would do this when he was just a small boy. He had always thought she could read his mind.

  Testing her, he asked, “What do you think it is, Mom?”

  “I think it has to do with Joy Winslow.”

  Chase dropped his eyes, unable to meet her gaze for a moment, then looked up and nodded. “You’re right. I left because of her.” He went on to explain how he had failed to convince her to stay out of the cage with all the big cats. “I’ve been worried sick, Mom, and I don’t know what to do.”

  “Do you love this young woman?”

  “I . . . I think I do.”

  “Then do something about it.”

  “What can I do, Mom?” Chase asked almost desperately. He got up and paced the floor, stopped, then wheeled to face her. “I have nothing to offer a woman.”

  “Then get something! I hated it when you were risking your life with those tigers, but at least you had a life.”

  “I can’t go back. I don’t think I could ever go back in the cage again.”

  “You can do anything you have to do if God helps you.” Chase stared at his mother, then got up and sat beside her, taking her hand. “What do you think I should do?”

  “You know what I think. I think you need Christ in your life.”

  “I’ve gone a long way from God.”

  “Then come back.”

  “Why would He want me back?” Chase asked, a note of despair in his voice.

  “Why would He want any of us? Don’t ask me why God loves sinners. He just does. You know your Bible. Did He go looking for righteous people? Of course not. He always reached out to those who were in trouble.”

  Chase sat in the living room with his mother for over an hour before saying, “You know, I think I know what I need to do.”

  “What is it, son?”

  “I need to go back to Nebraska and see Sister Hannah Smith.”

  “She had quite an impact on you, didn’t she? You wrote about her so often in your letters.”

  “I don’t know why, but I need to go see her.”

  “All right. Go find your way.”

  Chase nodded. “I’ll check with Jack to make sure he can get along without me, and if it’s okay with him, I’ll leave in the morning.”

  “Jack and I will be praying for you. God isn’t through with you yet, Chase.”

  ****

  Sister Hannah’s eyes flew open, and her hands went up. “Well, glory be to God and the Lamb forever!” She sailed out onto the porch, shoving the screen door back, and it slapped against the wall of the house with a loud bang. She grabbed Chase and hugged him so hard he protested.

  “Sister Hannah, you’re gonna break my ribs again.”

  “You come in this house, boy. I had a feelin’ you were comin’ back one of these days.”

  Chase followed Sister Hannah into the house, and as he did, old memories rushed through him. He allowed her to drag him into the kitchen and shove him onto a cane-bottom chair. “I just made some blackberry cobbler. Fresh out of the oven. You think you could arm wrestle a bite or two down?”

  “I think I could.” Chase grinned broadly and allowed her to fuss over him. He was tired, for it had been a long trip from Jacksonville, Florida, to Arnold, Nebraska, but as he sat in the kitchen enjoying the warm blackberry cobbler, he knew he had done the right thing.

  “I’ve been hearin’ pretty regular from Joy,” Hannah said. “She told me about you leavin’ the circus. What’d you do that for?”

  Chase put the spoon in the bowl and shoved it away, saying, “That’s what I’ve come to talk to you about. I don’t know what to do with myself.”

  “Well, thank God you’ve finally realized you can’t handle your own life.” Sister Hannah pushed her glasses up over her head into her hair, and her eyes sparkled as she spoke. “I knowed all the time you’d come to your senses, and you’re gonna stay here with me until you get right with God.”

  Chase couldn’t help smiling at her forwardness. Her brusque ways were refreshing, and he put out his hand, which she took in both of hers. He felt the roughness of them, callused from a lifetime of hard labor. “That may take a while,” he said, “but at least I can chop your wood and feed the chickens.”

  Time seemed to slow down for Chase as he settled into a peaceful life once again at Sister Hannah’s home. He felt separated from the rest of the world there. Her house became his world, and each day he would rise, eat breakfast with her, and study the Bible with her. This consisted mostly of Sister Hannah opening the worn black Bible and reading to him. Some days she would read for almost an hour without commenting. Then finally one day, she said, “Sometimes I think we talk too much, Chase, and we don’t let God talk enough. The Bible says, ‘The entrance of thy words giveth light,’ so we’re going to put the Word into you until you’re all light on the inside.”

  After their Bible study, Chase would spend a good part of his day sawing down trees, cutting them into lengths, and splitting them with a maul. He soon had enough wood for Hannah to go through two winters, all good white oak that split like cloven rock each time he hit it.

  The nights were the same as the mornings. He would again listen to Sister Hannah read the Bible to him, then explain what she thought the good Lord meant. At no time did she ever accuse him or make him feel guilty. One evening after reading from the Gospel of John, they talked for over an hour about the encounters of Jesus.

  “There ain’t no better book than John,” Sister Hannah said quietly. A single bulb dangling from a chain overhead illuminated the room dimly. They sat at the kitchen table with their cups of coffee, but they were forgotten now. He listened intently as Sister Hannah murmured, “Jesus kept hunting people down, or else they searched him out. Ni
codemus in chapter three comes lookin’ for Him. Didn’t have the vaguest idea what the Lord Jesus was talkin’ about or who He was. When Jesus told him, ‘Ye must be born again,’ old Nicodemus didn’t have a notion in his head what the Lord was talkin’ about. Then the woman at the well—how that woman must have felt to find someone who loved her no matter what she’d done!

  “Then a little further on, there was that fellow born blind. I’ve always loved this story. You notice, son, that he didn’t get saved all at once. After the blind man was healed, the Pharisees asked him who healed him, and he said, ‘Jesus. He put clay on my eyes and I washed and now I can see.’ He didn’t know anything about Jesus. But later on, Jesus sought him out—all this is in chapter nine—and he asked that feller, ‘Dost thou believe on the Son of God?’ right here in verse thirty-five.” Sister Hannah put her finger on the Bible, and Chase followed the lines. “You know, I’ve thought lots of times, Brother Chase, that this is the most important question. ‘Dost thou believe on the Son of God?’ ”

  The room was quiet then. A fly was buzzing around, making an unsteady hum, and Chase read the next line. “ ‘Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?’ ”

  “That’s right.” Sister Hannah nodded. “And Jesus said, ‘Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.’ ”

  Chase read the next line aloud. “ ‘And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.’ ” Chase had felt little or nothing in his heart during the few days he’d been with Sister Hannah again, but for a reason he could not explain, his heart all of a sudden seemed to break. He looked across the table at Sister Hannah, and tears formed in his eyes. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but somehow that touches my heart.”

  Sister Hannah leaned over, and her eyes were also filled with tears. “That’s the Spirit of God, son, and He’s asking you, just like He asked that blind man, will you believe on the Son of God?”

  “I’ve always believed that Jesus was God as long as I can remember.”

  “Then will you ask Him to be Lord of your life and let Him do anything He wants with you?”

  Chase Hardin had never felt as he did at that moment. He was filled with a mixture of fear, joy, and excitement, and yet he could not speak. He watched Sister Hannah get up and walk around the table. “Son, let’s kneel right here before Jesus. I’m gonna pray, and you’re gonna pray, and when we get up, you’ll be a new creature.”

  Without a word, Chase fell on his knees. He felt Sister Hannah’s arm go around his shoulder, and he began to tremble and weep. He could hear her calling out to God in a loud voice, and then he heard his own voice crying out in agony, “Oh, God, I need you! Save me in the name of Jesus and by His blood!”

  Chase never remembered how long he called out like this, but he did recall later that at one point weakness overcame him. Finally Sister Hannah pulled him to his feet, and spoke in a voice of exultation. “That’s what you needed, son. God’s done a work in you. Ain’t that right?”

  Chase Hardin knew she had spoken the truth. “Yes, Sister Hannah,” he whispered, “He has.”

  ****

  It had been three days since Chase had accepted Christ, but somehow he felt the need to stay on. He and Sister Hannah continued to study the Bible morning and night. He attended church with her that Sunday, and at the end of the service, when she gave an invitation, he came forward and saw the joy in the old woman’s eyes. “I want to be baptized, Sister,” he said.

  And so baptized he was that very morning in a horse pond under the blue July sky. Sister Hannah did not baptize him herself; rather, a tall, strong elder put him under the water.

  When Chase stepped out of the water, Sister Hannah grasped him, soaking wet as he was, and said, “I ain’t never been happier. Now God’s ready to go into business with you, son.”

  ****

  Two days after his baptism, Sister Hannah received a phone call for Chase. It was Travis Winslow.

  “Bad news, Chase.”

  “Is it Joy?”

  “No, she’s all right, but the cats turned on Karl. They didn’t kill him, but he’ll be out for a long time. Maybe for good.”

  Relief washed through Chase that it wasn’t Joy. “I’m sorry about Karl, but I’m glad Joy’s all right.”

  “Well, she’s not all right. Stella’s got Joy talked into takin’ Karl’s place. I know it’s crazy, but that’s the plan.”

  Chase did not hesitate. “Where are you?”

  “In Yazoo City, Mississippi.”

  “I’ll be there as quick as I can. Don’t let her get in that cage, Travis. Tie her up if you have to!”

  “All right. I’ll do whatever I can—but please hurry, Chase!”

  Chase turned to Hannah. “I gotta go, Sister Hannah.” He explained the nature of the phone call and said, “I gotta get there quick. She shouldn’t be getting in the cage all alone with those cats.”

  “Get your things, boy, but you’re not hitchhikin’. I got the cash for a railroad ticket. I’ll take you down to the station. You can catch the three-forty. Ought to have you there maybe tomorrow, or the day after for sure.”

  Things moved so rapidly then that within an hour Chase was saying good-bye to Sister Hannah on the railroad platform. He hugged her and kissed her cheek. “I’ll call as soon as I get there, but please pray that whatever happens, we’ll keep Joy out of that cage.”

  “I’ll do that, and you do whatever God puts in your heart, boy. You’re His child now, and He’ll take care of you.”

  The conductor called out, “All aboard,” and Chase tore himself from Sister Hannah’s grasp. He ran to catch the train as it was moving out. Turning, he waved to her, then went inside and found a seat, knowing that God was sending him on his first mission.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Stella Makes an Offer

  As Chase entered the circus grounds, he could hear the band playing and knew by the tune that it was the final spec. He shifted his suitcase from one hand to the other, then marched resolutely across the grounds, where he encountered Doak Williams. The big man turned to him with a flash of surprise in his eyes.

  “Why, it’s you, Chase! Hey, real good to see you.” Doak put out his huge hand, and Chase shook it. “I ’spect you heard about Karl.”

  “Yes. Did you see it, Doak?”

  “Was standin’ right there. We was lucky to get him out alive, Chase.”

  “What happened?”

  “You know how Sultan’s always lookin’ for a chance to fight somebody, do some damage. Well, he found a chance all right, and it seemed like the rest of them cats was just waitin’. We got in as quick as we could, but Karl was clawed up bad. One of them got him right across the face, laid it right open. You know how them tiger claws catch better’n I do. He ain’t never again gonna be the good-lookin’ fella he was, the doctors say.”

  “Where is he?”

  “He’s in the hospital. They took him to Jackson, but I don’t think he’s ever gonna be the man he was. A man can’t go through a thing like that and be the same—but I reckon you know all about that, don’t you, Chase?”

  “I sure do,” he said, nodding grimly.

  “I guess you heard about the deal that Miss Joy made with Miss House.”

  “Yes, Travis called me and told me about it.”

  “I sure hope you can put a stop to that. You know that girl ain’t got no business bein’ alone in a whole cageful of them critters. You’d think seein’ Karl clawed up like that woulda changed her mind, but that girl’s stubborn as a blue-nosed mule!”

  The blare of a trumpet sounded, and Chase turned to face the entrance. The spectators were filing out now, talking and babbling as usual, and Chase said, “I think I’d better try to talk to Travis first.”

  “You can talk to him,” Doak said, nodding, “but he’s already told me he’s used every argument he can with Miss Joy. Says she just won’t pay no attention. She’s bound and determined to do it.”

  “I have to stop h
er, Doak.”

  “You comin’ back to work, then?”

  “I don’t know what I’m gonna do—I’ve just gotta do something!”

  Chase made his way inside the big top. He scanned the crowds and saw Travis standing beside the center pole. Chase hurried toward him, and at the same time Travis saw him and came forward to meet him. The two men shook hands. “Glad to see you, Chase.” Relief washed across Travis’s features, but then he shook his head. “I’ve said everything I can think of to get her to reconsider, but maybe you can talk some sense into her.”

  “I’ll try. But first I’ve got some news for you.”

  Travis Winslow straightened up and stared at Chase. “What is it?”

  “While I was gone I got converted. It took me long enough, but I finally found the Lord.”

  Travis reached out, his eyes bright and a smile on his lips. He gave Chase a hug and said, “Well, brother, I’m glad to hear that! I’ve been praying for you.”

  “So have a few others. My mother and Sister Hannah. You’ll have to help me along. I need lots of counsel.”

  “You’re going to do fine, Chase.”

  “Well, I better go find Joy.”

  “She’s probably with the cats. She didn’t do the act today, but like I said, she’s determined to do it soon.”

  “I’ll see you later, Travis.”

  Chase made his way back to the menagerie, and as Travis had predicted, Joy was there. She was stroking Mabel’s head, which was pressed against the bars. Chase came up behind her and said, “Hello, Joy.”

  She turned quickly, her lips parted in surprise. Then she smiled and put her hands out. When he took them in both of his, she said, “I’m glad to see you, Chase, but I didn’t expect it. You heard about Karl, of course.”

  “Yes, Travis called me. I hope Karl’s going to be all right.”

  Joy realized he was still holding her hands, and when she looked down at them, he dropped them. “I don’t think he’ll ever be the same, Chase. His face was terribly clawed. They had to put in a lot of stitches, and the doctor says he’ll always be scarred.”