A
peculiar gathering that! A solemn, sad throng! All conversation had
ceased. The stillness was broken by the sudden appearance of several
platoons of soldiers, who took their stand and formed a square in front
of the mansion. The door at last opened, and two uniformed officers
appeared side by side, and slowly marched out. Next appeared the sheriff,
with the prisoner leaning on his arm. On the broad platform he waited for
a moment, evidently to permit some of his near friends to embrace him
before they parted. Thick and fast they gathered around the aged saint,
with loud weeping and lamentation; but soon their cries were drowned amid
the louder lamentations of the throng. Last of all there approached the
man of God two aged women, on whose countenances Time had tried in vain
to erase marks of loveliness and beauty.
With a smile, one of the twain took the hand of the prophet, and gently
said:
"May Jehovah grant a happy night to his servant among the lions, and on
the morrow may we have a joyful meeting.
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