e even than thy
drunkenness," cried Master Prout.

"Papist in thy teeth and drunkenness to boot," exclaimed the excited
captain, at the same time striking at Master Prout, who, however,
easily eluded the blow of the intoxicated man.

The other two sailors now manifested some intention of coming to the
assistance of their superior, but were held back by the citizens, and
restrained, moreover, by a knowledge of the formidable power of Master
Prout, who was well known as a sort of censor or guardian of the
morals of the place, appointed by the magistrates.

"Keep quiet, man," said Prout, pushing the obstreperous captain back
into his seat, "or thy mazzard and my staff may become better
acquainted than will be altogether agreeable. Do thou hold him, good
man Nettles, as being in some wise accountable for his condition. So
shalt thou, also, partake of the savory crumbs of advice which it is
my intention to bestow on this man of Belial and his companions."

Master Prout, thereupon drawing a chair, placed it immediately in
front of the captain, and seated himself, while mine host held the
delinquent fast. The functionary paid no attention whatever to the
exclamations and ejaculations of the sailor, which, furious at first,
gradually died away until they ceased entirely, but went on steadily
with his speech.

"Thou art a stranger," he said, "and therefore am I the more disposed
to overlook thy transgression, seeing that thou art not acquainted
with the manners of the godly town of Boston, and art not yet prepared
to realize thy privilege in being permitted to visit it. Moreover, I
see by thy garments and speech that thou art one of those who go down
to the sea in ships, and who, though they behold the wonders of the
deep, are, for the most part, unaffected by the mighty works of Him at
whose word the stormy wind ariseth, or at His rebuke chasteneth itself
into a calm. But thou art a man having within thee an immortal soul,
and my spirit is troubled exceedingly, and my bowels are like to burst
within me, when I behold thee given over to folly. Hearken thou, for
my lips shall utter judgment, and thine ears shall drink in
understanding.

"Behold here, in this Boston, have godly fugitives from oppression,
men whose faces are set as steel against all evil, set up their
habitations, to be an enduring city unto the Lord; and, within our
borders, may no scoffer or profane person, as was Esau, nor riotous
liver, abide. But the n