“Well done, Master Prout.  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”

All turned to the voice, and there stood Endicott himself, who, in the height of the interest excited by the controversy, had entered unobserved, and overheard a part of the dispute.  There he stood, with his left hand caressing the tuft of hair on his chin, looking grimly round him.

“Capt.  Larkham,” he said, as soon as the commotion occasioned by his sudden appearance abated, “I do appreciate thy well meaning love, but hold it an unprofitable thing to engage in debates which can lead to no useful results.  What I have done, I have done, and that not in the inconsiderate heat of youthful blood, but with the thoughtful deliberation that becometh manhood.  If there be any who impeach the deed, they do it ignorantly, as not understanding the meaning on bearing thereof.”

“I impeach it,” cried the impetuous Colonel, “and shame it is that so unsoldierly and disloyal an act should pass unpunished.”

Here Master Prout advanced, first looking at Endicott for approval, as if about to arrest the audacious speaker.

“Nay, good Master Prout, by thy leave I desire no offices of thine,” said Endicott, putting him aside.  “I might, with justice, take offence at thy language, which is harsh,” he continued, addressing the 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.”