They formed at command, readily, in front of
the post, which may be now said to have assumed the guise of a regular
military station; and Fullam, the captain, advancing with much seeming
surprise in his countenance and manner, addressed the squatters
generally, without reference to the two leaders, who stood forth as
representatives of their several divisions.
"How is this, my good fellows? what is meant by your present military
attitude? Why are you, on the sabbath, mustering in this
guise--surrounded by barricades, arms in your hands, and placing
sentinels on duty. What does all this mean?"
"We carry arms," replied Dexter, without pause, "because it suits us to
do so; we fix barricades to keep out intruders; our sentinels have a
like object; and if by attitude you mean our standing here and standing
there--why, I don't see in what the thing concerns anybody but
ourselves!"
"Indeed!" said the Georgian; "you bear it bravely, sir. But it is not to
you only that I speak.
Pages:
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328