The Devil of the Marsh
The Devil of the Marsh is a classic horror novel by Henry Brereton Marriott Watson. It tells the story of a young man, John, who is sent to stay with his uncle in a remote marshland village. There, he discovers a sinister secret: the villagers are being terrorized by a mysterious creature known as the Devil of the Marsh. As John investigates the creature, he finds himself in a race against time to save the village from its evil clutches. Along the way, he must confront his own fears and confront the dark forces that lurk in the marsh. Will John be able to save the village and himself from the Devil of the Marsh?
By Henry Brereton Marriott Watson · First published 1898 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Mystery, Horror · 2,016 words
First lines
It was nigh upon dusk when I drew close to the Great Marsh, and already the white vapours were about, riding across the sunken levels like ghosts in a churchyard. Though I had set forth in a mood of wild delight, I had sobered in the lonely ride across the moor and was now uneasily alert. As my horse jerked down the grassy slopes that fell away to the jaws of the swamp I could see thin streams of mist rise slowly, hover like wraiths above the long rushes, and then, turning gradually more material, go blowing heavily away across the flat. The appearance of the place at this desolate hour, so remote from human society and so darkly significant of evil presences, struck me with a certain wonder that she should have chosen this spot for our meeting. She was a familiar of the moors, where I had invariably encountered her; but it was like her arrogant caprice to test my devotion by some such dreary assignation. The wide and horrid prospect depressed me beyond reason, but the fact of her neighbourhood drew me on, and my spirits mounted at the thought that at last she was to put me in possession of herself. Tethering my horse upon the verge of the swamp, I soon discovered the path that crossed it, and entering struck out boldly for the heart. The track could have been little used, for the reeds, which stood high above the level of my eyes upon either side, straggled everywhere across in low arches, through which I dodged, and broke my way with some inconvenience and much impatience. A full half hour I was solitary in that wilderness, and when at last a sound other than my own footsteps broke the silence the dusk had fallen.
What this Textopian page supports
The Devil of the Marsh is listed on Textopian as a short story by Henry Brereton Marriott Watson, dated 1898 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Henry Brereton Marriott Watson
- Date: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic Fiction, Mystery, Horror, Romance
- Length: 2,016 words
- Structure: 1 section, 55 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Devil of the Marsh by Henry Brereton Marriott Watson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Devil of the Marsh?
- How does this short story by Henry Brereton Marriott Watson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Gothic Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Gothic Fiction — The title of the book, 'The Devil of the Marsh', implies a dark and mysterious atmosphere, which is a common element of Gothic fiction.
- Mystery — The title of the book implies a mysterious element, which is a common element of mystery stories.
- Horror — The title of the book implies a frightening element, which is a common element of horror stories.
- Romance — Henry Brereton Marriott Watson is known for writing romantic stories, so this book may contain romantic elements.
Tags
gothic · horror · mystery · supernatural · folklore · suspense · adventure · dark · psychological · historical · literary fiction · England