As he spoke, he lifted up his arms in the air—up—up, as high as he could reach, standing on tip-toe the while; and brought them down with such force, loaded as they were, that he doubled the iron guard which kept him in the box, and shattered the heavy door from the top to the bottom.
—Behold—shorn though I be of my youth, betrayed though I have been, while I forgot where I was, I do not lack power. Now bid your people tear me away if you have courage! For lo, my feet are upon the foundations of your strength ... and by Jehovah—the God of the strong man of other days!—I’ll not be dragged off till I know the fate of the giantess before you.
We shall see—cut him down officer—cut him down!
Very well. Come thou near enough to cut me down, officer, and I’ll undertake for thee.
Judges—how little ye know of that man’s power—why not suffer him to stay? cried Rachel Dyer. Why will ye provoke it? On your heads be the issue, if ye drive your ministers to the toil! on yours their blood, if they approach him!
The sheriff hung back—and the judges, after consulting together, told Burroughs he might stay, and ordered the trial of the women to proceed.
CHAPTER XX.
Already were they about to give judgment of death upon Rachel Dyer, when two or three of her accusers, who began to fear that she might escape, had another fit.
Why are these poor women troubled? asked a judge.
I do not know, was her unstudied reply.