"I thank you," he repeated. "God hath evidently gifted you with great strength. Use it for His glory. I will accept your escort to Mrs. Maddern's house, but I have a strength which is omnipotent on my side. I will trust and not be afraid."
Even as he spoke I felt how true were his words, and then we walked down the street toward the sea, he continuing to preach most of the time.
When we reached the door of Mrs. Maddern's he said, "What is your name, young man?"
"Jasper Pennington," I replied.
"It is an old Cornish name," he replied, and then, looking into my eyes, he said, "Is your heart at peace with God and man—especially with man?" This he asked meaningly.
I did not answer him, for it occurred to me that the town officials who walked with him had told him who I was, although I had not heard.
"Trust in the Lord and do good, Jasper Pennington," he said, quietly, "so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
Then he went into the house, and I felt as though a benediction rested upon me.
I waited outside with the crowd, expecting him to come out again, but after a time they heard that he had got into a boat from the back of the house, for the sea came up close to the back of the house, and by this means he was able to escape, mingling with the crowd again.