Affecting to be, and possibly in reality conscious of his indiscretion,
the stranger hastily disposed himself to the execution of his duty.
"It would be a great and a pain-saving movement," he said, "were we
to assemble the household in one apartment. The government at home
would be glad to hear something of the quality of its lieges in this
distant quarter. Thou hast doubtless a bell to summon the flock at
stated periods."
"Our people are yet near the dwelling," returned Content: "if it be thy
pleasure, none shall be absent from the search."
Gathering from the eye of the other that he was serious in this wish, the
quiet Colonist proceeded to the gate, and, placing a shell to his mouth,
blew one of those blasts that are so often heard in the forests summoning
families to their homes, and which are alike used as the signals of
peaceful recall, or of alarm. The sound soon brought all within hearing to
the court, whither the Puritan and his unpleasant guests now repaired as
to the spot best suited to the purposes of the latter.
"Hallam," said the principal personage of the four visiters, addressing
him who might once have been, if he were not still, some subaltern in the
forces of the Crown, for he was attired in a manner that bespoke him but a
half-disguised dragoon, "I leave thee to entertain this goodly assemblage.
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