ntly we were all singing. The
audacious suitors, charmed into rationality, fell back, and the broken
line re-formed. The Governor and the Council descended, and with pomp
and solemnity took their places between the maids and the two ministers
who were to head the column. The psalm ended, the drum beat a thundering
roll, and the procession moved forward in the direction of the church.

Master Pory having left me, to take his place among his brethren of
the Council, and the mob of those who had come to purchase and of the
curious idle having streamed away at the heels of the marshal and his
officers, I found myself alone in the square, save for the singer, who
now descended from the pillory and came up to me.

"Captain Ralph Percy, if I mistake not?" he said, in a voice as deep and
rich as the bass of an organ.

"The same," I answered. "And you are Master Jeremy Sparrow?"

"Yea, a silly preacher,--the poorest, meekest, and lowliest of the
Lord's servitors."

His deep voice, magnificent frame, and bold and free address so gave
the lie to the humility of his words that I had much ado to keep from
laughing. He saw, and his face, which was of a cast most martial,
flashed into a smile, like sunshine on a scarred cliff.

"You laugh in your sleeve," he said good-humoredly, "and yet I am but
what I profess to be. In spirit I am a very Job, though nature hath
fit to dress me as a Samson. I assure you, I am worse misfitted than is
Master Yardstick yonder in those Falstaffian hose. But, good sir, will
you not go to church?"

"If the church were Paul's, I might," I answered. "As it is, we could
not get within fifty feet of the door."

"Of the great door, ay, but the ministers may pass through the side
door. If you please, I will take you in with me. The pretty fools yonder
march slowly; if we turn down this lane, we will outstrip them quite."

"Agreed," I said, and we turned into a lane thick planted with tobacco,
made a detour of the Governor's house, and outflanked the procession,
arriving at the small door before it had entered the churchyard. Here we
found the sexton mounting guard.

"I am Master Sparrow, the minister that came in the Southampton," my
new acquaintance explained. "I am to sit in the choir. Let us pass, good
fellow."

The sexton squared himself before the narrow opening, and swelled with
importance.

"You, reverend sir, I will admit, such being my duty. But this gentleman
is no preacher; I may not al