character, so apart from ordinary rules, that
her presence did not surprise the few who noticed it. Meantime, the
chairman of the selectmen was addressing to the lieutenant-governor a
long and solemn protest against the reception of the British troops
into the town.

"And if Your Honor," concluded this excellent but somewhat prosy old
gentleman, "shall see fit to persist in bringing these mercenary
sworders and musketeers into our quiet streets, not on our heads be
the responsibility. Think, sir, while there is yet time, that if one
drop of blood be shed, that blood shall be an eternal stain upon Your
Honor's memory. You, sir, have written with an able pen the deeds of
our forefathers; the more to be desired is it, therefore, that
yourself should deserve honorable mention as a true patriot and
upright ruler when your own doings shall be written down in history."

"I am not insensible, my good sir, to the natural desire to stand well
in the annals of my country," replied Hutchinson, controlling his
impatience into courtesy, "nor know I any better method of attaining
that end than by withstanding the merely temporary spirit of mischief
which, with your pardon, seems to have infected older men than myself.
Would you have me wait till the mob shall sack the province-house as
they did my private mansion? Trust me, sir, the time may come when you
will be glad to flee for protection to the king's banner, the raising
of which is now so distasteful to you."

"Yes," said the British major, who was impatiently expecting the
lieutenant-governor's orders. "The demagogues of this province have
raised the devil, and cannot lay him again. We will exorcise him in
God's name and the king's."

"If you meddle with the devil, take care of his claws," answered the
captain of Castle William, stirred by the taunt against his
countrymen.

"Craving your pardon, young sir," said the venerable selectman, "let
not an evil spirit enter into your words. We will strive against the
oppressor with prayer and fasting, as our forefathers would have done.
Like them, moreover, we will submit to whatever lot a wise Providence
may send us--always after our own best exertions to amend it."

"And there peep forth the devil's claws!" muttered Hutchinson, who
well understood the nature of Puritan submission. "This matter shall
be expedited forthwith. When there shall be a sentinel at every corner
and a court of guard before the town-house, a loyal gentlema