As he drew near Abigail, she, startled, flew to Master Ronald’s side and shook him. “Oh, sir,” she cried, “wake up! They are going to speer me.”
At this the gravity of the young men relaxed into laughter so hearty that even Master Ronald, looking up, comprehended the situation and smiled faintly.
“They are less amusing and more dangerous than dancing-bears, eh, Mistress Abigail?” he asked, rising to his feet.
Abigail did not commit herself by replying. “Let us haste away, sir,” she said; “bethink yourself how Deliverance waits, and you will pardon my rudeness, but, sir, it be no time now for a moping-fit.”
“Bravo!” cried Master Philander, “there is the woman of it. You prefer to do your duty first and have your weep afterwards.”
“I will take you to see the Governor in a moment, Mistress Abigail,” said Master Ronald; “we will be there prompt on the moment. There is that whereof I would speak to my friends who are bound to any cause of mine, as I to theirs, in all loyalty, when that cause be just.”
At this the students interrupted him by shouts, but he raised his hand to silence them. “Hear me to the end without interruption, as the time waxes short. In Salem, my fair young sister, scarce more than a child in years, languishes in jail, for having, it is asserted, practised the evil art of witchery. On the morrow she will be hanged, unless, by the grace of God, the Governor may be prevailed upon to interfere. If he refuses justice and mercy, then have we the right to take the law into our own hands, not as trespassers of the law, but rather as defenders of law and justice. As men sworn to stand by each other, how many of you will go with me to Salem Town this night and save the life of one as innocent and brave, as free from evil, as this maid who stands before you now?”
There was no shouting this time, but silently each young man moved over and shook hands with the speaker in pledge of his loyalty and consent.
“And now,” added Master Ronald, “I will go to the Governor’s house, that you may have your say with him, Mistress Abigail.”