"
"There has long been reason to think that the pilgrimage of the righteous,
into these wilds, will be visited by some fierce opposition of those
envious natures, which, fostering evil themselves, cannot brook to look
upon the toiling of such as strive to keep the narrow path. We will now
resort to the only weapon it is permitted us to wield in this
controversy, but which, when handled with diligence and zeal, never fails
to lead to victory."
So saying, without waiting to hear more of the tale of Eben Dudley, old
Mark Heathcote arose, and assuming the upright attitude usual among the
people of his sect, he addressed himself to prayer. The grave and
awe-struck but deeply confiding congregation imitated his example, and
the lips of the Puritan had parted in the act of utterance, when a low,
faltering note, like that produced by a wind instrument, rose on the
outer air, and penetrated to the place where the family was assembled. A
conch was suspended at the postern, in readiness to be used by any of the
family whom accident or occupation should detain beyond the usual hour of
closing the gates; and both by the direction and nature of this
interruption, it would seem that an applicant for admission stood at the
portal.
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