Abigail, overcome at her temerity in calling out to the gentlefolk, drew away from the window and waited in much inquietude until she should be called.
Soon she heard Lady Phipps’ voice at the foot of the stairs. “Hurry down, dear child; all are ready to start.”
Outside, the Governor was mounted and waiting. Lord Christopher was drinking a glass of water, with a dash of rum in it as a tonic, preparatory to starting. Master Ronald had mounted the pillioned horse.
“Make haste, Mistress Abigail,” he cried, “so we may be fairly on our way before nightfall.” Old Pompey swung the little maid upon the pillion.
The Governor and the soldiers turned their horses’ heads and rode off grandly. Next the four Moors lifted the handles of the sedan-chair, turned and followed. Master Ronald spurred his horse and it trotted off gayly.
Lady Phipps waved her lace-bordered kerchief and the Fellows of Harvard their caps. Abigail, sorry to say good-by, gazed backwards until her ladyship’s lilac-gowned figure, surrounded by the students, with her kerchief fluttering, was hidden from sight by a turn of the road.
Little could Abigail foresee that within the course of several weeks, the dreaded accusation of witchcraft would be levelled at Lady Phipps.
Many townspeople stood agape on the road to see the imposing company go by and cross the Common, which was cool and green in the mellow light. The salt breeze was blowing off the sea. Early as it was, the gallants and their “Marmalet Madams” were strolling arm in arm. It was still light when the party reached the river. Here the ferryman took Lord Christopher across, the rest of the party taking the fordways a short distance above. As they entered the road on the other shore, Abigail was glad of companionship, so gloomily the forest rose on all sides. The night descended sultry and warm as if a storm were brewing. The moon had not yet risen, but a few pale stars shone mistily.
Now and then between the trees there flashed on their sight the white line of foam breaking along the beach of the ocean. They made their way tediously, those who rode suiting the gait of the horses to the rate of speed maintained by the chair-bearers. Often the poor fellows, straining under their heavy burden, stumbled on the rough road, jolting the invalid so that he swore mightily at them.