h
regard to the merits of the question, to go along with the party.

"I'll ride with you, Forrester, and see what's going on."

"And stand up with us, 'squire, and join in the scuffle?" inquired his
companion.

"I say not that, Forrester. I have no concern in this matter, and so
long as I am let alone myself, I see no reason for taking part in an
affair, of the merits of which I am almost entirely ignorant."

"You will take your arms with you, I suppose. You can lend them to those
who fight, though you make no use of them yourself."

"Yes--I never go without arms in travelling, but I shall not lend them.
A man should no more lend his arms than he should lend his coat. Every
man should have his own weapons."

"Yes; but, 'squire, if you go along with us, you may be brought into the
scrape. The other party may choose to consider you one of us."

"It is for this reason, not less than others, that I would carry and not
lend my arms."

"Well, 'squire, you might lend them to some of us, and I would answer
for them. It's true, as you say, that every man should have his own
weapons; but some among us, you see, ha'n't got 'em, and it's for that
we've been waiting. But come, it's time to start; the boys are beginning
to be in motion; and here come Munro and that skunk Rivers. I reckon
Munro will have the command, for he's thought to be the most cunning
among us."

The party was now ready for departure, when a new interruption was
experienced. The duties of the pastor were yet to begin, and,
accordingly, sallying forth at the head of his remaining congregation,
Parson Witter placed himself in front of the seceders. It is unnecessary
that we should state his purpose; it is as little necessary that we
should say that it was unavailing. Men of the kind of whom we speak,
though perhaps not insensible to some of the bolder virtues, have no
sympathy or love for a faith which teaches forbearance under wrong and
insult, and meekness under blows. If they did not utterly laugh in his
face, therefore, at his exhortations, it was because, at the very first,
they had to a man turned their backs upon him, and were now generally
mounted. Following the common lead, Ralph approached the group where
stood his fair friend of the morning; and acknowledged, in an
under-tone, to herself, the correctness of her opinion in regard to the
merits of the sermon. She did not reply to the observation, but seeing
his hand upon the bridle, asked hurrie