'Nay, nay,' old Zachary answered, laying down his plane. 'If they use
Monmouth's name, it is but to strengthen their cause, and to show that
they have a leader of repute. Were James driven from the throne, the
Commons of England in Parliament assembled would be called upon to name
his successor. There are men at Monmouth's back who would not stir
unless this were so.'

'Then, daddy,' said I, 'since I can trust you, and since you will tell
me what you do really think, would it be well, if Monmouth's standard be
raised, that I should join it?'

The carpenter stroked his white beard and pondered for a while. 'It is
a pregnant question,' he said at last, 'and yet methinks that there is
but one answer to it, especially for your father's son. Should an end
be put to James's rule, it is not too late to preserve the nation in its
old faith; but if the disease is allowed to spread, it may be that even
the tyrant's removal would not prevent his evil seed from sprouting.
I hold, therefore, that should the exiles make such an attempt, it is
the duty of every man who values liberty of conscience to rally round
them. And you, my son, the pride of the village, what better use could
you make of your strength than to devote it to helping to relieve your
country of this insupportable yoke? It is treasonable and dangerous
counsel--counsel which might lead to a short shrift and a, bloody
death--but, as the Lord liveth, if you were child of mine I should say
the same.'

So spoke the old carpenter with a voice which trembled with earnestness,
and went to work upon his plank once more, while I, with a few words of
gratitude, went on my way pondering over what he had said to me. I had
not gone far, however, before the hoarse voice of Solomon Sprent broke