" I paused. He made no answer, and I
pleaded on.
"But M. Picot denies witchcraft, and you would burn him for not lying."
Never think to gain a stubborn antagonist by partial concession. M.
Radisson used to say if you give an enemy an inch he will claim an ell.
'Twas so with Eli Kirke, for he leaped to his feet in a fine frenzy and
bade me cease juggling Holy Writ.
"'Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live,'" he shouted. "'Tis
abomination! It shall utterly be put away from you! Because of this
hidden iniquity the colony hath fallen on evil days. Let it perish
root and branch!"
But Tibbie breaks in upon his declamation by throwing wide the library
door, and in marches a line of pale-faced ascetics, rigid of jaw, cold
of eye, and exalted with that gloomy fervour which counts burning
life's highest joy. Among them was the famous witch-hanger of after
years, a mere youth then, but about his lips the hard lines of a
spiritual zeal scarce differing from pride.
"God was awakening the churches by marvellous signs," said one,
extending a lank, cold hand to salute Eli Kirke.
"Have we not wrestled mightily for signs and wonders?" demanded another
with jaw of steel. And one description of the generation seeking signs
was all but off the tip of my tongue.
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