e patience, friend," said the Quaker youth, with his solemn
air; "I tell thee that the Assembly is in the right. Who are the
Penns these proprietaries--that their lands should be exempt from
taxation? If the Governor will yield that point, then will the
Assembly raise the needful aid for keeping in check the enemy,
albeit it goes sorely against their righteous souls. But they will
not give everything and gain nothing; it is not right they should."

"And while they wrangle and snarl and bicker, like so many dogs
over a bone, our countrywomen and their innocent children are to be
scalped and burnt and massacred? That is Scripture law, is it? that
is your vaunted religion. You will give way--you will yield your
principles for a petty victory on a point of law, but not to save
the lives of the helpless brothers who are crying aloud on all
hands to you to come and save them!"

The Quaker youth moved his large feet uneasily; he, in common with
the seniors of his party, was beginning to find it a little
difficult to maintain a logical position in face of the pressing
urgency of the position. He had been brought up in the tenets which
largely prevailed in Pennsylvania at that day, and was primed with
numerous arguments which up till now had been urged with confidence
by the Quaker community. But the peace-loving Quakers were
beginning to feel the ground shaking beneath their feet. The day
was advancing with rapid strides when they would be forced either
to take up arms in defence of their colony, or to sit still and see
it pass bodily into the hands of the enemy.

Susanna was peeping in at the door of the next room. She knew both
the speakers well. Ebenezer Jenkyns had indeed been paying her some
attention of late, although she laughed him to scorn. Much more to
her liking was bold John Stark, her father's kinsman; and as there
was nobody in the room beside these two, she ventured to go a step
within the doorway and ask:

"What is the matter now, Jack? what are you two fighting about so
hotly?"

"Faith, 'tis ever the same old tale--more massacres and outrages
upon our borders, more women and children slaughtered! Settlers
from the western border calling aloud to us to send them help, and
these Quaker fellows of the Assembly doing nothing but wrangle,
wrangle, wrangle with the Governor, and standing idle whilst their
brothers perish. Save me from the faith of the peace makers!"

Again the other young man moved uneasily,