Evening star., 1935-03-24
Night of Peril
Continued from page nine

shying horse. And smashing, roaring
report swept off through the night.
Daniel screamed in triumph. Now
his people knew. He strained again
on the bell-rope. Now they kne,o!
Strong men were pulling on their
boots - snatching down their guns.
Torches took light! Doors creaked!
Bristol was flying to arms!
A head appeared in the trap-door.
With demon strength Daniel seized
the ladder. swung it high, and brought
it down with crash. The head dis
appeared. He pulled again at the bell,
defying the shouts from below.
He looked out over the white fields.
Aspark of light shone on distant hill
side. glowing like faint star. Then
another, and another. The bell of the
school-house began to ring frantically.
Far away at the cross roads, the iron
fire-gong spread the alarm. Lights
appeared in the windows of the houses.
Black specks moved on the road.
A man with a musket came out of
the nearest house. Daniel checked the
bell. He shouted:
Back" he shouted. "Rovers!
There are twelve of them. They have
pistols, but no muskets. To arms!'
The man disappeared behind tree.
His musket flashed. One of the Royers
screamed. More men ran up through
the drifts and gathered into groups.
More shots! Shouted orders! Torches
danced along the roads. Daniel could
hear the Rovers screaming defiance
from the church steps.
Then a final shot rang out from the
room below the belfry. Like stab of
fire a bullet burned up his thigh. 1t
shattered against the bone. He fell
to the floor, and a curtain of blackness
dropped over his eyes. But Bristol was
saved.
When Daniel opened his eyes again,
the sun was shining brightly. A warm
wind blew through the open windows
of the church. and overhead he heard
the chirp of melting snow on the roof.
He was lying fiat on his back on a
feather mattress, wrapped in thick
blankets. His legs were strapped tight
together. His wound throbbed slightly,
but he could move his arms.
At first he did not realize where he
was. Then bitter realization came
over him. He was in that hateful
church of his judgement! He'd saved
the people of Bristol in their hour of
peril. No doubt they were grateful and
inclined to forgive him. But nothing
on earth could make him forgive.
He heard the stir and rustic of many
people near him. But he set his lips in
tight line. He knew these people now.
They were hard and cruel. Somewhere
in the world we're kindlier souls. He'd
take Mary Pearson away and 60 to
find them. He tried to turn his head
and look about him. But the soft mat
tress bulged up around his face. Then
Mary Pearson was smiling down at
him.
Daniel. DEAR" she said softly, I'VE
are having a service of THANKSGIVING
for our deliverance. We are waiting
for you, Daniel" He smiled up at her.
Then he frowned. She caught the
meaning of his frown. BE not quick
to judge, Daniel" she said tenderly.
He felt her hand beneath his head,
raising it up on a pillow. And he found
that he was lying on a table placed
in the aisle before the pulpit.
They can't forgive u.s." he said
bitterly. "We did not sim
The minister appeared from one
side and took his place behind the
pulpit. He opened the Book. but he
did not look at its pages. He looked at
Daniel. There were tears in his eyes,
and his face was sorrowful. Then he
bowed his head in prayer.
"Oh Lord" he prayed, THY people
give thanks this day for their deliver
ance. BY the hand of Thy instrument,