git tuckered 'fore long. If wust comes to wust, it's a comfort ter know
ez ye're a perfesser in good stannin."

Bement had doubtless had previous experience of a certain tenacity of
purpose on the part of his spouse, for ceasing to address further
adjurations to her, he began to appeal for mercy to the men.

"Two," said Abner, as they swung him again.

Now, Mrs. Poor and Prudence, having been thrust out of the barroom
just before the mob thundered up against the barred door, had been
borne back into the room again by the rush when the door was opened,
and it was Mrs. Poor who now made a diversion.

"Look a here, Abner Rathbun," she said. "W'at in time's the use of
murd'rin the man? He hain't done nothin. It's the woman, as has got
the keys. She wouldn' let me inter see Zadkiel, an I'm jess a itchin
tew git my hands ontew her, an that's the trewth, ef I be a perfesser.
You let the man alone. I'll git them keys, or my name ain't
Resignation Ann Poor."

There was a general murmur of approval, and without waiting for orders
from Perez, Abner and his helpers let Bement drop, and he scrambled to
his feet.

Mrs. Bement began to pant. She knew well enough that she had nothing
to fear from all the men in Massachusetts, but one of her own sex was
a more formidable enemy. And, indeed, a much more robust person than
the jailer's little wife, might have been excused for not relishing a
tussle with the tall, rawboned old woman, with hands brown, muscular,