his voice was low and what he said reached me not, save only
the words: 'A great people, a great people to be gathered.'

Whereat I, being, as I say, but a lad then, full of my own notions and
mighty sure of myself as young lads are, plucked at his sleeve, having
heard but the last words, and supposing that he had watched me
gathering my flock for the fold.

'Not people, Master Stranger,' I interrupted. ''Tis my business to
gather sheep. Sheep and silly, heedless lambs like Periwinkle, 'tis
them I must gather for my master's fold.'

He saw and heard me then, full surely.

'Aye,' he said, and his voice, though deep, had music in it, while his
eyes pierced me yet again, but more gently this time, so that I made
sure he had seen me tending Periwinkle and knew that I had done the
best I could. 'Aye, verily thou dost well. Shepherd of Pendle, to
gather lambs and silly sheep for their master's fold. I, too....' But
there again he broke off and fell once more into silence.

Thus I left him, still standing atop of the hill; but as I turned to
go I heard his voice yet again, and though I looked not round, the
sound of it was as if a man were speaking to his friend, for all I
knew that he stood there, atop of the hill, alone:

'I thank thee, Lord, that Thou hast let me see this day in what places
Thou hast a great people, a great people to be gathered.'

Thereat I partly understood, yet turned not back again, nor sought to
enquire further of his meaning; for the daylight was fast fading and I
had need of all my skill in getting home my sheep.

VII. THE PEOPLE IN WHITE RAIMENT

_'After a while he (G.F.)
travelled up further towards the
dales in Yorkshire, as Wensdale,
and Sedburgh, and amongst the
hills, dales, and mountains he
came on and convinced many of the
eternal Truth.'--M. FOX'S
Testimony to G. FOX._

_'In the mighty power of God, go
on, preaching the Gospel to every
creature, and discipling them in
the name of the Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit. In the name of Christ
preach the mighty day of the Lord
to all the consciences of them who
have long lain in darkness.... In
the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
go on, that that of God in