out of his mouth, and his
abominations from between his teeth. Cursed be the shedder of innocent
blood!"

"Amen," said Landless; then, "This capture is like to be our ruin. This
wretch will not keep silence."

"But he has no proofs. Since you destroyed those lists there exists not
a scrap of writing about this affair. And we have covered our tracks as
carefully as if we were the cursed heathen of the land upon the
warpath. Let him say what he will. The Malignants, besotted fools! will
think he lies to save his neck."

"A week ago they might have thought so," said Landless. "But not now.
Something has gotten abroad. Already Governor and Council think they
smell a plot."

The Muggletonian caught his breath. "How do you know this?"

"No matter how: I know it."

Porringer raised his scarred face to heaven. "God," he said, "we are thy
people! Save us! Let destruction come upon them unawares; let them go
down a dark and slippery way to death; make them to be as blind and deaf
adders that see not the foot of the destroyer! Yea, shake thy hand upon
these Malignants and make them a spoil to their servants!" He turned his
ghastly face and burning eyes upon Landless. "Curse them with me!" he
cried.

Landless shook his head. "Thou, and I look not alike at things, friend,"
he said.

"Thou art a Laodicean!" cried the other wildly. "Thou hast not an eye
single to the Lord's work as had thy father before thee. Thou wouldst
not smite the Amalekites hip and thigh, root and branch! One damsel
would thou save alive, and for her sake thy heart is soft towards the
whole accursed brood! Look to it lest the Lord spew thee out of His
mouth! Woe, woe, to him that putteth his hand to the plough and looketh
back!" He laughed wildly and tossed out his arms.

"I think thou hast eaten of the Jamestown weed!" said Landless fiercely.
"Collect thy senses, man! And speak something less loudly, or Roach's
betrayal will be superfluous. As to myself, if I curse not, I act; and
as for my motives for what you call luke-warmness, and I call common
humanity, you will please to let them alone!"

The excitement faded from the fanatic's face, and he said more quietly,
"You are right, friend. I was mad for a moment, mad to see that freedom
which is so near us so imperiled. I meant not to quarrel with you who
have shown in the conduct of this work the discernment of a young
Daniel, yea, who have so borne yourself, that I have grown to care for
you as I