Close behind these two came a young man of very striking countenance and demeanor with deep thought and contemplation on his brow , and perhaps a flash of enthusiasm in his eye ; his garb , like that of his predecessors , was of an antique fashion , and there was a stain of blood upon his ruff . In the same group with these were three or four others , all men of dignity and evident command , and bearing themselves like personages who were accustomed to the gaze of the multitude . It was the idea of the beholders that these figures went to join the mysterious funeral that had halted in front of the province-house , yet that supposition seemed to be contradicted by the air of triumph with which they waved their hands as they crossed the threshold and vanished through the portal . `` In the devil 's name , what is this ? '' muttered Sir William Howe to a gentleman beside him . `` A procession of the regicide judges of King Charles the martyr ? '' `` These , '' said Colonel Joliffe , breaking silence almost for the first time that evening -- `` these , if I interpret them aright , are the Puritan governors , the rulers of the old original democracy of Massachusetts -- Endicott with the banner from which he had torn the symbol of subjection , and Winthrop and Sir Henry Vane and Dudley , Haynes , Bellingham and Leverett . '' `` Why had that young man a stain of blood upon his ruff ? '' asked Miss Joliffe . `` Because in after-years , '' answered her grandfather , `` he laid down the wisest head in England upon the block for the principles of liberty . '' `` Will not Your Excellency order out the guard ? '' whispered Lord Percy , who , with other British officers , had now assembled round the general . `` There may be a plot under this mummery . '' `` Tush ! we have nothing to fear , '' carelessly replied Sir William Howe . `` There can be no worse treason in the matter than a jest , and that somewhat of the dullest . Even were it a sharp and bitter one , our best policy would be to laugh it off . See ! here come more of these gentry . '' Another group of characters had now partly descended the staircase .
The XXXXX was a venerable and white-bearded patriarch who cautiously felt his way downward with a staff .
Bellingham Endicott England Howe Joliffe King Vane after-years first supposition