"What has happened? What has gone amiss?"
"They are rescuing the prisoners," shouted Mr. Parris, wildly. "Don't you see them hurrying away with them."
He ran to the sheriff and cried:
"Bestir yourself! Do you not see they are taking your prisoners away?"
"I have no deputies," answered the sheriff. "They number hundreds, and the Indians are with them."
"Nonsense! They are only disguised, and are not a dozen. Come! I will go with you."
Four or five by-standers, being thus emboldened, offered to go themselves and aid in recovering the prisoners.
"Come! I will lead you!" cried the eager preacher, allowing his zeal to overcome his discretion.
They ran after the escaping party, and Mr. Parris, either being more zealous than the others, or more swift of foot, outran them and, eluding some of the Indians, who tried to intercept him, ran to where Charles Stevens was half leading and half dragging his mother and Cora from the village.
"Fire-brand of hades! you shall not escape me," cried Mr. Parris seizing Cora's shoulder with a clutch so fierce as to make her cry out.