“Obed, you are a young man and you have proved yourself a brave man. I have no right to find fault with you for asking that question, but in my young days we were taught to believe that men whose gray beards betokened years of experience behind them had seen some of the ups and downs of life and could fairly advise us in our troubles. I am close to my seventieth year and in my time I have seen bloody deeds done afloat and ashore. Like you, at one time I thought the quick answer and the ready blow most became a man, and even yet I think there are occasions when there is no other course open to a man of honor. It was on such an occasion that I got this wound, Obed; but the Barbary pirate who inflicted it never lived to harm anybody else.”
There was intense silence as Captain Jared opened his shirt front and displayed a terrible scar across his chest.
“When you ask me if I believe in fighting, Obed, I can call this to witness, though the occasion doesn’t often arise when a man doubts my word. If your uncle Jethro could come to life he might tell you of that terrible night in the Straits of Gibraltar when the pirates boarded us and five stalwart Yankees gave their lives in defence of their ship.”
The crowd was deeply stirred by the old man’s words and Obed Sparrow impulsively shouted:
“By the Lord, Captain Jared! I humbly ask your pardon. I never doubted your willingness to fight, but my question applied to the present trouble. I’m sorry I said anything about it now.”
“That’s all right, my lad,” answered Captain Jared; “all I ask is that if some of us believe the unfortunate people of these villages can get out of their troubles without bloodshed and utter ruin we shall not be considered any less anxious to uphold the honor of the flag than those who advocate sterner work against the enemy. For my own part, I am willing to abide by whatever the Committee of Safety and the people decide on.”
“Bravo, Captain Jared!” exclaimed Peter Walker. “That’s the proper way to look at it. And now, friends, I think it’s time to go home, especially as Neighbor Crosby is doing very little business these hard times!”
“Very little, indeed, Master Walker, but I’m expecting something overland soon.”
“Glad to hear it, Master Crosby. Good night!”