Dividing his energies between keeping off the constable and "healing the afflicted," and aided rather than hindered by Joseph Putnam's intentionally ill-directed efforts to restrain him, the insane man managed to administer in a short time no small amount of very exemplary punishment. And, as Masters Putnam and Raymond agreed in talking over the scene afterwards, he certainly did seem to effect an instantaneous cure of the "afflicted," for they came to their sober senses at the first cut of the leather strap, and rushed pell-mell down the passage as rapidly as they could regardless of the other tormenting "spectres."
"This is outrageous!" said Squire Hathorne hotly to the constables as Antipas was at last overpowered by a host of assailants, and stood now firmly secured and panting between the two officers. "How dared you bring him here without being handcuffed?"
"We had no idea of his breaking out anew, he seemed as meek as a lamb," said constable Herrick.
"Why, we thought he was a Quaker!" added his assistant.
"I am a Quaker!" said Antipas, looking a little dangerous again.
"You are not."
"Thou liest!" said the insane man. "This is one of my off days."
Joseph Putnam laughed outright; and a few others, who were not church-members, laughed with him.
"Silence!" thundered Squire Hathorne. "Is this a time for idle levity?" and he glared around the room.
"We have heard enough," continued the Squire, after a few words with his colleague. "This is a dangerous man. Take him off again to prison; and see that his chains are strong enough to keep him out of mischief."