Colonel; "but I will not, seeing that it springs out of an honorable
but misguided apprehension of the matter. Is it possible that a
gentleman of Col. McMahon's intelligence, and whose spirit hath been
enlightened to see the truth, even to casting in his lot with ours,
should condemn an act which me-seems ought to command his sanction?
Had it been told me by another, I would have disbelieved what but now
mine own ears have heard."

"I repeat," said the Colonel, "it appears to me no better than
treason."

"If thou dost esteem me a traitor, step forward and arrest me in the
King's name. But no; surely thou dost speak hastily. For the sake of
the respect I feel for thee, I will explain the motives of my conduct.
Not from any disrespect to King Charles; not because I honor not the
flag of my country; but because I owe a higher allegiance, even to the
King of kings, cut I out the sign of Papistical idolatry; not as
designing to be deficient in any earthly duty, but as intending to
make known to the world my protest, and, as far as may be, the protest
of this godly colony against a corrupt church, which is no church; and
against all, though not calling themselves of her communion, who drink
of the cup of her abominations, desired I to remove from before our
eyes that which, whenever beheld, only reminded us of a damning
delusion and daily oppression. If this were sin, then have I sinned;
but I will abide the consequences without flinching, whether in this
world or in the world to come."

A deep, stern murmur ran round the room, and it was evident, from the
countenances of the company and from the expressions that could now
and then be caught, that by far the greater part of them entertained
the sentiments of the audacious sectary. Such, it is highly probable,
were the sentiments of a majority of the government of the colony,
notwithstanding their disavowal, afterwards, of all sympathy, with the
act, and public censure of the bold Puritan. Not that a democratical
feeling lurked therein, as some may fancy, but for the very reasons
manfully proclaimed by Endicott--reasons, not of a political, but
entirely of a religious character.

Endicott, a sagacious and daring politician, as well as zealous
religionist, heard the sounds and beheld the faces of those around him
with satisfaction. It pleased him publicly to vindicate his conduct,
and to test the feelings of his countrymen.

"Thou hearest," he resumed, "those sounds and s