from the bitter blast of persecution, many a time did the maidens of
Swarthmoor recall that day. They remembered how, weeping, they had run
down to the high arched gate of the orchard to meet their father, and
to tell him what was a-doing up at the Hall. Thus they drew near the
house, the Judge's dark figure half hidden among his muslined maidens,
even as the dark old yews are hidden in spring by the snowy-blossomed
apple-trees. When they saw the Judge himself coming towards them, the
constables drawn up in the courtyard began to look mighty foolish.
They approached with gestures of respect, giving a short account of
what had happened at Walney, and holding out the warrant, signed by
two justices, as an apology for their presence at Judge Fell's own
Hall during his absence.

All their excuses availed them little. Judge Fell could look stern
enough when he chose, and now his eyes flashed at this invasion of
his home.

'What brings you here, men? A warrant for the apprehension of George
Fox, _MY GUEST_? Are my brother Justices not aware then that I am a
Justice too, and Vice-Chancellor of the county to boot? Under this
roof a man is safe, were he fifty times a Quaker. But, since ye are
here' (this with a nod and a wink, as the constables followed the
Judge up the flagged path and by a side door into his oak-panelled
study), 'since ye are here, men, I will give you other warrants
a-plenty to execute instead. Those riotous folk at Walney Island are
well known to me of old. It is high time they were punished. Take
this, and see that the ringleaders who assaulted my guest are
themselves clapped into Lancaster Gaol forthwith.'

Well pleased to get off with nothing but a reprimand, the constables
departed, and carried out their new mission with right good will. The
rioters were apprehended, and some of them were forced to flee from
the country. In time James Lancaster's wife came to understand better
the nature of the 'witchcraft' that George Fox had used upon her
husband. She too was 'convinced of Truth.' Later on, after she had
herself become a Friend, she must often have looked back with remorse
to the sad day when her husband had been forced to defend his loved
and revered teacher with his own body from her blows and stones.

Meanwhile at Swarthmoor there had been great rejoicing over the
discomfiture of the constables. No sooner had they departed down the
flagged path than back flitted the bevy of girls again into th