There was a rustle of leaves, and out from the shadow of the trees filed a number of the anti-slavery men headed by Captain Brown and Parson Steward.
“Well, Judah,” said Captain Brown, “we’ve been watching your little drama. You promised to kill him and you’ve done it.”
“Boys,” returned Judah, “and all of you, I leave it to you if I’m not right in ridding the world of such a beast as Thomson.”
The men set up a cheer that echoed and re-echoed among the hills. The women in the cave heard with joyful hearts.
“I’d kill a snake wherever I f’und him,” said one; “wudn’t you, Parson?”
“Sure,” replied the parson. “This is a holy war, and its only just begun.”
“This is a great day. Praise God from whom all blessings flow; we’ve put to flight the armies of the Philistines,” said Captain Brown.
“It is justice! I am satisfied,” said Judah, scanning each solemn face before him with his keen eyes.
Parson Steward wore the same calm, unruffled front touched with faint humor that had characterized him when first introduced to our readers. He was a trifle paler, but that was all that reminded one of the fact that only by a miracle, as it were, he had escaped death at the hands of cruel men. Judah grasped his hand in both of his.
“No wonder we have won, Parson; I heard them cry: ‘Look at the Parson!’ and then they fled in every direction.”