Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-10-27

as the war-cry grew fainter, and the | pattering of the arrows diminished Parson Pladley had not interrupted his sermon, although his voice had
 been temporarily drowned by the noise | of the assault and defense, except for | the instant that he cast one glance at
 the musket beside him and another at l the hour-glass.
 | All the men who could act were at their posts; why should he not continue
 to the end, while waiting for the des- | perate struggle which must come? His
 sense of duty told him that he ought not to cease his holy office before the ap pointed time, except under compulsion
 in which he must recognize the hand of God
 His hearers understood this as well
 as if he had declared his determination
 in so many words. They did their part
 by listening with steady attention. l Again the cries grew louder and
 arrow-fights thicker. The guns re- l piled, but this time the attack was not
 repulsed A ponderous humping on | the door, which shook the whole build
 ing, told that some kind of battering-
 ram was being employed to break it l down, A few more such shocks, and | the door must fall
 Only pinch or two of sand remained
 in the hour-glass. Still it was not quite
 empty, and Parson Pladley preached | on.
 ! CrdSM The door was half off it's
 hinges. The frearm men crowded be-
 hind it, and delivered a volley that ap l peared for minute to clear the pas
 sage. There was yet some sand in the
 hour-glass. The pason's lips could be
 seen to move, though his voice was not | heard
 renewed yell and the crashing
 blows once more beat upon the door.
 No shots answered this time, for the
 muskets were empty.
 An arrow whistled across the church
 and stuck quivering in the front of the
 pulpit. Around the edges of the shat
 tered door hatchets and clubs were
 brandished in the faces of the defend
 CTS, who dashed them aside with the
 butts of their guns. The women began
 to scream.
 The last sand ran out of the hour
 glass. Parson Pladley bowed his head
 and said: "Amenr' And all the con-
 gregation answered together: "Amen!" Up sprang the hitherto motionless
 listeners-women to the rear, men to
 the front-and from the pulpit the old
 minister, with sword and gun, led the
 way to the aid of the others, who were
 beginning to give ground before the
 mass of hideously painted figures who
 were forcing their way through the en-
 trance.
 Then came out another side of the Puritan character. The fierce energy almost joy-with which the colonists , fought was as surprising as the stony self-control they had shown but a moment before. Ahead of them all, Parson Fladley swung his mighty
 sword with cries which betrayed the the old horse-soldier of Cromwell and
 Harrison, for such he had been; and ot those who followed him. more than , one had stood in the ranks of the pike. men who met the charges of Prince t Ruperts cavaliers, and repelled them, too.
 As if he remembered this, the minis l ter lifted up his strong voice in the stern psalm which had thundered over |. the battlefelds of Naseby and Marstor l Moor-the war song of David the king, 3 rejoicing over his victory: } II have pursued mine enemies anc
 overtaken them; neither did I turr 3 | again till they were consumed t ''I have wounded them that they - were not able to rise; they are faller
 under my feet.
 y ''For thou hast girded mo witt S strength unto the battle; thou has t subdued under me those who rose ul n against me-"
 The Indians were like wolves com S batting lions. They shrank, waveret r and were pressed back to the door d through it and outside of it. Then, b, Il one last rush, they were broken, scat l. tered and dispersed. They ran in ever,
 direction for the shelter of the woods |. many of them fell by the way unde :" the bikes and swords of their pursuers l. Huddersfeld was saved.
 Within the meeting house, now half d ruined, dim with powder smoke an
 heaped with broken benches, arrow d and dead bodies, the congregatio > gathered around it's minister, who y blackened and bloody, with gown tor }, to shreds and a great slash across hi 1t forehead, once more raised up his voic
 this time in the glorious strains c -s one of their triumphant hymns. n. All joined in it-even the wounded m who'could scarcely lift their heads fro1 ,e the ground, and the dying, who san .e their last breaths away in the grate W ful chorus.
 " When the injured had been cared fos m and there was once more time for o ,e dinary matters, Parson Pladley calle n Abner True to him. i'd "Son Abner, thou didst well so cur
 ningly to avoid those ruthless savage: TIT and privily warn us betimes- For tn ,d thou meritest reward" Id Abner looked up, astonished. rs And this shall be thy reward-th; ht for thy willful tarrying away from tt
 sanctuary thou shalt receive no disc re pline-from the church." es But my father will" stammere is the boy.
 e. ''Of surety he will," p1acidly r IS. piled the minister, land trust it ma is do thee good"