“Father,” said Miss Cynthia, “the men are at the door! Shall I let them in?”
Mrs. Buckley turned away her head, for there were tears in her eyes.
CHAPTER IX
IN GREATEST PERIL
“Wait!” commanded the minister. There was a new look, one of decision, upon his face. “Heaven forgive me,” he said, “if I am not doing right—but I cannot send a man to the gallows!”
He took a step towards the door leading to the entry.
“Not a word, Cynthia,” he ordered. He opened a large closet, filled with groceries and preserving jars, quickly pushed George and Watson into it, and closed the door.
“Now, Rachel,” he said, “let the men in.” The girl departed. Within the space of a minute nearly a dozen neighbors, all of them carrying muskets, trooped into the kitchen. They were sturdy planters, and they looked wet and out of humor.