interrupted Pearson , impatiently . `` Nay , friend , but hear me , '' continued the other . `` As we journeyed on night darkened on our path , so that no man could see the rage of the persecutors or the constancy of my endurance , though Heaven forbid that I should glory therein . The lights began to glimmer in the cottage windows , and I could discern the inmates as they gathered in comfort and security , every man with his wife and children by their own evening hearth . At length we came to a tract of fertile land . In the dim light the forest was not visible around it , and , behold , there was a straw-thatched dwelling which bore the very aspect of my home far over the wild ocean -- far in our own England . Then came bitter thoughts upon me -- yea , remembrances that were like death to my soul . The happiness of my early days was painted to me , the disquiet of my manhood , the altered faith of my declining years . I remembered how I had been moved to go forth a wanderer when my daughter , the youngest , the dearest of my flock , lay on her dying-bed , and -- '' `` Couldst thou obey the command at such a moment ? '' exclaimed Pearson , shuddering . `` Yea ! yea ! '' replied the old man , hurriedly . `` I was kneeling by her bedside when the voice spoke loud within me , but immediately I rose and took my staff and gat me gone . Oh that it were permitted me to forget her woeful look when I thus withdrew my arm and left her journeying through the dark valley alone ! for her soul was faint and she had leaned upon my prayers . Now in that night of horror I was assailed by the thought that I had been an erring Christian and a cruel parent ; yea , even my daughter with her pale dying features seemed to stand by me and whisper , ` Father , you are deceived ; go home and shelter your gray head . ' -- O Thou to whom I have looked in my furthest wanderings , '' continued the Quaker , raising his agitated eyes to heaven , `` inflict not upon the bloodiest of our persecutors the unmitigated agony of my soul when I believed that all I had done and suffered for thee was at the instigation of a mocking fiend ! -- But I yielded not ; I knelt down and wrestled with the tempter , while the scourge bit more fiercely into the flesh . My prayer was heard , and I went on in peace and joy toward the wilderness . ''
The old man , though his fanaticism had generally all the calmness of reason , was deeply moved while reciting this tale , and his unwonted emotion seemed XXXXX rebuke and keep down that of his companion .
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