"These men, if they had succeeded in their plan last night, would have
whipped me, and a score of others to-day. Would you have protested
against that?"
"That is different. They would have proceeded against you as
criminals, according to law."
"No doubt they would have proceeded according to law," replied Perez,
with a bitter sneer. "They have been proceeding according to law for
the past six years here in Berkshire, and that's why the people are in
rebellion. I'm no lawyer, but I know that Perez Hamlin is as good as
Jahleel Woodbridge, whatever the parson may think, and what he would
have done to me, shall be done to him."
"That is not the rule of the gospel," said the minister, taking
another tack. "Christ said if any man smite you on the right cheek,
turn to him the other also."
"If that is your counsel, take it to those who are likely to need it.
I am going to do the smiting this time, and it's their time to do the
turning. They need not trouble themselves, however. Pete will see that
they get it on both sides."
"And now sir," he added, "if you would like to see the prisoners to
prepare them for what's coming, you are welcome to," and opening the
door of the room he told the sentinel in the corridor to let the
parson into the guard room, and the silenced and horrified man of God
mechanically acting upon the hint went out and left him alone.
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