Tchernoff described the Apocalyptic beast rising from the depths of the sea.  He was like a leopard, his feet like those of a bear, his mouth like the snout of a lion.  He had seven heads and ten horns.  And upon the horns were ten crowns, and upon each of his heads the name of a blasphemy.  The evangelist did not say just what these blasphemies were, perhaps they differed according to the epochs, modified every thousand years when the beast made a new apparition.  The Russian seemed to be reading those that were flaming on the heads of the monster—­blasphemies against humanity, against justice, against all that makes life sweet and bearable.  “Might is superior to Right!” . . .  “The weak should not exist.” . . .  “Be harsh in order to be great.” . . .  And the Beast in all its hideousness was attempting to govern the world and make mankind render him homage!

“But the four horsemen?” persisted Desnoyers.

The four horsemen were preceding the appearance of the monster in John’s vision.

The seven seals of the book of mystery were broken by the Lamb in the presence of the great throne where was seated one who shone like jasper.  The rainbow round about the throne was in sight like unto an emerald.  Twenty-four thrones were in a semicircle around the great throne, and upon them twenty-four elders with white robes and crowns of gold.  Four enormous animals, covered with eyes and each having six wings, seemed to be guarding the throne.  The sounding of trumpets was greeting the breaking of the first seal.

“Come and see,” cried one of the beasts in a stentorian tone to the vision-seeing poet. . . .  And the first horseman appeared on a white horse.  In his hand he carried a bow, and a crown was given unto him.  He was Conquest, according to some, the Plague according to others.  He might be both things at the same time.  He wore a crown, and that was enough for Tchernoff.

“Come forth,” shouted the second animal, removing his thousand eyes.  And from the broken seal leaped a flame-colored steed.  His rider brandished over his head an enormous sword.  He was War.  Peace fled from the world before his furious gallop; humanity was going to be exterminated.

And when the third seal was broken, another of the winged animals bellowed like a thunder clap, “Come and see!” And John saw a black horse.  He who mounted it held in his hand a scale in order to weigh the maintenance of mankind.  He was Famine.

The fourth animal saluted the breaking of the fourth seal with a great roaring—­“Come and see!” And there appeared a pale-colored horse.  His rider was called Death, and power was given him to destroy with the sword and with hunger and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

The four horsemen were beginning their mad, desolating course over the heads of terrified humanity.