I pulled him in, but he declared he was not hurt. Terrified, I
implored him not to risk his life.

"Life is not always the first thing to be thought of," said he,
gently. "Don't be afraid--I shall come to no harm. But I MUST do
what I think right, if it is to be done."

While he spoke, I could hardly hear him for the bellowings outside.
More savage still grew the cry--

"Burn 'em out! burn 'em out! They be only Quakers!"

"There's not a minute to lose--stop--let me think--Jael, is that a
pistol?"

"Loaded," she said, handing it over to him with a kind of stern
delight. Certainly, Jael was not meant to be a Friend.

John ran down-stairs, and before I guessed his purpose, had unbolted
the hall-door, and stood on the flight of steps, in full view of the
mob.

There was no bringing him back, so of course I followed. A pillar
sheltered me--I do not think he saw me, though I stood close behind
him.

So sudden had been his act, that even the rioters did not seem to
have noticed, or clearly understood it, till the next lighted torch
showed them the young man standing there, with his back to the door--
OUTSIDE the door.