His deep voice, magnificent frame, and bold and free address so
gave the lie to the humility of his words that I had much ado to
keep from laughing. He saw, and his face, which was of a cast
most martial, flashed into a smile, like sunshine on a scarred cliff.

"You laugh in your sleeve," he said good-humoredly, "and yet I am
but what I profess to be. In spirit I am a very Job, though nature
hath fit to dress me as a Samson. I assure you, I am worse misfitted
than is Master Yardstick yonder in those Falstaffian hose. But,
good sir, will you not go to church?"

"If the church were Paul's, I might," I answered. "As it is, we could
not get within fifty feet of the door."

"Of the great door, ay, but the ministers may pass through the side
door. If you please, I will take you in with me. The pretty fools
yonder march slowly; if we turn down this lane, we will outstrip
them quite."

"Agreed," I said, and we turned into a lane thick planted with
tobacco, made a detour of the Governor's house, and outflanked
the procession, arriving at the small door before it had entered the
churchyard. Here we found the sexton mounting guard.

"I am Master Sparrow, the minister that came in the
Southampton," my new acquaintance explained. "I am to sit in the
choir. Let us pass, good fellow."

The sexton squared himself before the narrow opening, and