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A True Hero: A Story of the Days of William Penn, a fiction by William H. G. Kingston |
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Chapter 19 |
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_ CHAPTER NINETEEN. As soon as Wenlock could approach the governor, he inquired for his friends, the Meads. "Have you not seen them?" exclaimed Penn. "Surely the _Concord_, in which they sailed, left England nearly three months ago, and they should have been here for some time already." "The _Concord_ has not arrived," answered Wenlock, and his heart sunk within him. Every inquiry was made, but none of the vessels which had arrived of late had heard of the _Concord_. Wenlock had been hoping that they might have come out, and almost expected to see them on board the _Welcome_. He was now almost in despair. "I grieve for thee, young man," said the governor; "for I know thy love for my old friend's daughter. I grieve also myself at his loss, if lost he is." Wenlock was unable to speak in reply. "The only remedy I can advise for thee, is active employment of body and mind, and the reading of the best of books," added the governor, with a look of compassion at the young man. Wenlock endeavoured, as far as he could, to follow the advice of his friend. The governor now proceeded up the river, touching on his way at Upland. The inhabitants of the place came out to receive him with delight, a tall pine, which had been allowed to stand when its neighbours were cut away, marking the spot where he went on shore. Turning to Pearson, who had so nobly supported him in his arduous labours among the sick daring the voyage: "What wilt thou, friend, that I should call this place?" he asked. "Chester, an' it please thee," answered Pearson. "It is my native city, and the affection I bear for it will never be effaced. Yet I might transfer some slight portion to this town." "Chester, therefore, let it be henceforth called," answered Penn. While the governor was stopping at the house of Mr Wade, Wenlock went to visit old Rullock, and to see his own humble abode. He found a large party of Dutch emigrants in the town, who had arrived the day before. Among them he recognised a face he knew. Yes, he was certain. It was that of Dr Van Erk. "Yes, I am indeed myself!" exclaimed the doctor, shaking Wenlock warmly by the hand. "Not knowing by what tyranny we might next be oppressed at home, I resolved to quit the shores of the Old World, and to seek refuge in the New; and my brother agreeing with me, we have come over with our wives and families. He will carry on mercantile pursuits,--and, by the by, he will be glad, I doubt not, to give you employment,--and I shall follow my own profession. My wife and children will, I am sure, be very glad to see you, but as yet we can show you very little hospitality. But you look somewhat sad, my young friend. Tell me what has occurred?" Wenlock told him the cause of his sadness. "Well, we will give you all the consolation in our power." Wenlock felt much pleased at meeting his old friends, and was amply employed, for some time, in obtaining accommodation for them. Every day vessels were arriving with passengers and cargoes, but not one of them brought any account of the _Concord_. His Dutch friends, however, did their utmost to console Wenlock. He thanked them, but yet found his thoughts more than ever going back to Mary. He would have been well-pleased if Ford had kept out of his way, but that person managed to introduce himself to the Van Erks, and he felt sure he was meditating mischief of some sort. The governor then proposed that he should go on a mission on state affairs to Boston, hoping that the change of life and scene might benefit him. Wenlock having received his instructions, accordingly went on board the _Amity_, which vessel, having been thoroughly repaired, was engaged for the purpose. "But I cannot part from you," exclaimed old Bill Rullock. "I did not think to go to sea again, but if the captain will let me work my passage there and back, I will go along with you." No arguments would induce the old man to give up his purpose, and Wenlock was not sorry to have so faithful a companion. Rounding Cape May, the _Amity_ sailed along the shores of New Jersey, steering to the north, keeping in sight of land till she came off Long Island, forming one side of the magnificent harbour of the New York Bay. Then she stood on, through Massachusetts Bay till the long established city of Boston was reached. Wenlock had expected to meet with kindness and sympathy from the descendants of those who had been driven for conscience' sake to seek a home in the New World. However, even by those to whom he had letters he was received with coldness, and he heard remarks made about Quakers generally, and himself especially, which somewhat tried his temper. His name, too, seemed especially to excite anger among the citizens. At length he was summoned to appear before the governor of the state. "Know you not, young man, that we allow no persons of your persuasion to remain in our state?" exclaimed the governor. "There was one, of your name too, banished not long since; and some who have ventured to return, have of necessity been put to death, as breakers of the law and rebels against the state." "Verily, I knew not that such was the case," answered Wenlock; "and when I have performed my business here, I am ready to take my departure. I have never been here before, and truly I should be glad to hear of one of my name, hoping that he might prove a relative; for at present I know not any one to whom I am kith and kin." "Stand aside, young man, and bring forth the prisoner, with whose trial we will proceed," exclaimed the governor, casting a frowning glance at Wenlock. The governor was proceeding to condemn the prisoner, when a loud voice was heard, exclaiming, "Pronounce not judgment." Wenlock started, and looked towards the speaker. He almost fancied that he saw his father standing before him. "Who are you, who thus dares to interrupt the court?" exclaimed the governor. "I am Wenlock Christison," was the answer. "I come to prevent you from condemning the innocent." "Then thou art my uncle!" exclaimed Wenlock, hurrying towards him. "I know thee by thy likeness to my father." "And, verily, I know thee," exclaimed the old man. "And what is thy name?" "Thine own," answered Wenlock. "Carry them both off to prison. They will hang together well," exclaimed the governor. In spite of Wenlock's protestations that he had been sent in the character of an envoy by the governor of the new state, he and his uncle were committed to prison. The old man, however, seemed but little concerned at this. "We shall be set at liberty ere long, nephew," he said; "and I rejoice greatly to have at length found thee, and more than all, that thou hast embraced the true and perfect way of life." Bill Rullock, on hearing what had occurred, was very indignant, and, almost forgetting that he himself had become a Quaker, was about to attempt forcibly to liberate his friend. The governor kept Wenlock shut up, but seemed doubtful about proceeding with him. His uncle was, however, brought up day after day, refusing to acknowledge himself guilty, warning his persecutors of the punishment which was soon to overtake them. Old Rullock employed himself in making interest with various people in the place, to obtain the liberation of his friend, warning them that though Master William Penn might not take vengeance on them, there was a certain Colonel Markham, who would be influenced by no such scruples. The result was, that not only young Wenlock, but old Christison, was set at liberty. "Nephew, I have wealth," exclaimed his uncle, "and I rejoice to find one who will inherit it. However, of one thing I am resolved, not to spend it among this people. The account thou dost give me of the new colony has made me resolve to go and end my days there; and we will together leave in the vessel that brought thee hither, as soon as she is ready to sail." Although the Friends were no longer persecuted at Boston, as may be supposed, it was not a pleasant city for them to reside in. A considerable number, therefore, set sail on board the _Amity_, which had a prosperous voyage to the Delaware. _ |
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