As he drew near the advancing soldiers , and as the roll of their drum came full upon his ear , the old man raised himself to a loftier mien , while the decrepitude of age seemed to fall from his shoulders , leaving him in gray but unbroken dignity . Now he marched onward with a warrior 's step , keeping time to the military music . Thus the aged form advanced on one side and the whole parade of soldiers and magistrates on the other , till , when scarcely twenty yards remained between , the old man grasped his staff by the middle and held it before him like a leader 's truncheon . `` Stand ! '' cried he . The eye , the face and attitude of command , the solemn yet warlike peal of that voice -- fit either to rule a host in the battle-field or be raised to God in prayer -- were irresistible . At the old man 's word and outstretched arm the roll of the drum was hushed at once and the advancing line stood still . A tremulous enthusiasm seized upon the multitude . That stately form , combining the leader and the saint , so gray , so dimly seen , in such an ancient garb , could only belong to some old champion of the righteous cause whom the oppressor 's drum had summoned from his grave . They raised a shout of awe and exultation , and looked for the deliverance of New England . The governor and the gentlemen of his party , perceiving themselves brought to an unexpected stand , rode hastily forward , as if they would have pressed their snorting and affrighted horses right against the hoary apparition . He , however , blenched not a step , but , glancing his severe eye round the group , which half encompassed him , at last bent it sternly on Sir Edmund Andros . One would have thought that the dark old man was chief ruler there , and that the governor and council with soldiers at their back , representing the whole power and authority of the Crown , had no alternative but obedience . `` What does this old fellow here ? '' cried Edward Randolph , fiercely . -- `` On , Sir Edmund ! Bid the soldiers forward , and give the dotard the same choice that you give all his countrymen -- to stand aside or be trampled on . '' `` Nay , nay ! Let us show respect to the good grandsire , '' said Bullivant , laughing . `` See you not he is some old round-headed dignitary who hath lain asleep these thirty years and knows nothing of the change of times ?
Doubtless he thinks to put us down XXXXX a proclamation in Old Noll 's name . ''
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