"What is it, Ezra?" he demanded sharply, seeing that Ezra wanted to
address him.

"If you please, Squire," said Ezra, cap in hand, "Laban's kinder
stupid, an we callate he muster got what ye said tuther eend to. Will
ye kindly tell us what the convenshin did?"

Stopping his horse, Sedgwick replied, in a loud, clear voice.

"The convention declared that the laws shall be enforced, and all
disorderly persons punished with the stocks and with lashes on the
bare back."

"Is that all?" faltered Ezra.

"All!" exclaimed Sedgwick, as his eye rested a moment on every face
before him. "Let every one of you look out that he does not find it
too much."

And now he suddenly broke off in a tone of sharp command, "Disperse
and go to your houses on the pains and penalties of Sabbath breaking.
The sun is down," and he pointed to the last glimmer of the yellow orb
as it sank below the mountains. The people stood still just long
enough to verify the fact with a glance, that holy time had begun, and
instantly the green was covered with men and boys swiftly seeking
shelter within their doors from the eye of an angry Deity, while from
the store hastily emerged Squire Woodbridge, Dr. Partridge and the
parson, and made their several ways homeward as rapidly as dignity
would permit.