The smooth, rounded trunk of the mountain ash is not more
upright and free from blemish, than was the figure of the boy, who moved
into the curious circle that opened for his entrance and closed against
his retreat, with the steadiness of one who came to bestow instead of
appearing to receive judgment.
"I will question him," said old Mark Heathcote, attentively regarding the
keen and settled eye that met his long, stern gaze as steadily as a less
intelligent creature of the woods would return the look of man. "I will
question him; and perchance fear will wring from his lips a confession of
the evil that he and his have meditated against me and mine."
"I think he is ignorant of our forms of speech," returned Content;
"for the words of neither kindness nor anger will force him to a
change of feature"
"It is then meet that we commence by asking him, who hath the secret to
open all hearts, to be our assistant." The Puritan then raised his voice
in a short and exceedingly particular petition, in which he implored the
Ruler of the Universe to interpret his meaning, in the forthcoming
examination, in a manner that, had his request been granted, would have
savored not a little of the miraculous.
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