ruins? If you love me, Captain Endicott, my brave and generous, but
hasty friend, take up your glove; if you have respect for the high
station you so worthily fill, noble Dudley, extend your hand in token
of amity, and assure our brother that no offence was designed."

The time occupied by the governor had afforded opportunity for the
passions of the two gentlemen to cool, and for them to become sensible
of the unbecoming parts they were playing. As if they had at the same
instant arrived at a like conclusion, Endicott reached forward to pick
up his gauntlet, while Dudley stretched out his open palm. It was
grasped by the other, and the two men wrung each other's hand as if
whatever might be their private quarrels, they were resolved to stand
by one another against the rest of the world.

"I crave forgiveness," said Dudley, at the same time resuming his seat
and speech, "of the honorable Assistants in general, and of my
excellent brother Endicott in particular, and beseech them to ascribe
the vehemency of my speech to no want of respect for them, but to my
zeal in the common service, and to a natural impetuosity. I solemnly
protest that my observation pointed at nothing offensive, and that
come whence it might, I would resent a wrong to my honored brother as
quickly as to myself. Yet I will say, that I marvel that one so
familiar with the nature of wounds as my honorable and dear friend,
the worthy founder of our infant commonwealth, (and this is an ancient
and increasing evil,) should not know that old wounds require rather
vinegar than oil, the cautery instead of unguents. As a member of the
persecuted Church, I will not allow the declarations of a brother of
that holy and mystical body to be overborne and set at naught by an
ill liver like this Philip Joy. I say that men have become too free in
uttering their licentious imaginations about those who are placed by