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Show 272 UNCLE T0~1 7 S CA UTX : OH1 ing, thee knows ; but I know a thing or two about the roacl, that thee docs n't." "But I don't want to involve you," said George. "Involve," said Phineas, with a curious and keen expression of face. "When thee docs involve me, please to let me know." "Phineas is a wise and skilful man," said Simeon. "Thee docs well, George, to abide by his judgment; and," he added, laying his hand kindly on George's shoulder, and pointing to the pistols, "be not over hasty with these, -young blocd is bot." "I will attack no man," s:Wd George. "All I ask of this country is to be let alone, and I will go out peaceably; but," - he paused, and his brow darkened and his face worked," I've had a sister sold in that New Orleans market. I know what they are sold for ; and am I going to stand by and sco them take my wife and sell her, when God bas given me a pair of strong arms to defend her 1 No; God help me 1 I 'll fight to the last breath, before they shall take my wife and son. Can you blame me?'' " Mortal man cannot blame thee, George. Flesh and blood could not do otherwise," said Simeon. "W oc unto the ·world because of olfcnccs, but woe unto them through whom the offence cometh.'' "'Vould not even you, sir, do the same, in my place 1" "I pray that I be not tried," said Simeon; "the flesh is weak.'' " I think my flesh would be pretty tolerable strong, in such a case," said Phineas, stretching out a. pair of arms like the sails of a windmill. "I an't sure, friend George, that I shouldn't hold a fellow for thee, if thee had any accounts to settle with him." LIFE AMONG Till~ J,OWLY. 273 "If man should ever resist evil," said Simeon, " then George should feel free to do it now : but the leaders of our people taught a more excellent way; for tho wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God; but it goes sorely against the corrupt will of man, and none can receive it save they to whom it is given. Let us pray the Lord that we be not tempted." "And so I do," said Phineas; "but if wo arc tempted too much-- why, let them look out, that's all." "It's quite plain thee wasn't born a Friend," &'lid Sim-eon, smiling. " The old nature hath its way in thee pretty strong as yet." 'l'o tell the truth, Phineas had been a hearty, two-fisted back woodsman, a. vigorous hunter, and a. dead shot at a buck; but, having wooed a pretty Quakcrcss, bad been moved by the power of her charms to join the society in his neighborhood ; and though he was an honest, sober, and efficient member, and not~i~g particular could be alleged against him, yet the more spmtual among them could not but discern an exceeding lack of sa.vor in his developments. ' 1 Friend Phineas will ever have ways of his own," said Rachel Halliday, smiling; "but we all think that his heart is in the right place, after all." '' 'Veil,'' said George, ''isn't it best tha.t we hasten our flight1" "I got up at four o'clock, and carne on with all speed, full tii'O or three hours ahead of them, if they start at the time they planned. His n't safe to start till dark, at any rate; for thor~ a.re some evil persons in tho villages ahead, that might be d1sposcd to meddle with us, if they saw our wagon, and that. would delay us more than the waiting; but in two hours I thmk we may venture. I will go over to Michael Cross, |
