with pale, determined countenances, still holding to their stubborn
policy of non-resistance to the enemy, but of obstinate resistance
to the Governor and the proprietaries. The sight of these men
seemed to inflame the rest of the populace, and they were hustled
and hooted as they made their way into the Assembly; whilst the
Governor was cheered as he went by with a grave and troubled face,
and on the steps of his house he turned and addressed the people.

"My friends," he said, "I am doing what I can. I have written to
the proprietaries and to the government at home. I have told them
that the conduct of the Assembly is to me shocking beyond parallel.
I am asking for fresh powers to deal with this horrible crisis. But
I cannot look for an answer for long; and meantime are all our
helpless settlers in the west to be butchered? You men of the city,
rise you and make a solemn protest to these obstinate rulers of
yours. I have spoken all that one man may, and they will not hear.
Try you now if you cannot make your voice heard."

"We will, we will!" shouted a hundred voices; and forthwith knots
of influential men began to gather together in corners, talking
eagerly together, and gesticulating in their excitement.

And all this while Charles, wild-eyed and haggard, was keeping his
place on the little platform, and telling his story again and again
to the shifting groups who came and went. Men and women hung upon
his words in a sort of horrible fascination. Others might talk of
horrors guessed at, yet unseen; Charles had witnessed the things of
which he spoke, and his words sent thrills of horror through the
frames of those who heard. Women wept, and wrung their hands, and
the faces of men grew white and stern.