A True Hero | Page 3

welcome, heartily
welcome. Come with me to my house in Cornhill, at the sign of the

`Spinning Wheel,' and thou shalt tell me where thou hast been
wandering all this time; while, may be, we will have a talk of bygone
days."
"With all my heart," answered Christison; "but tell me who is that
noble youth addressing the people? He seems by his dress and bearing
not one likely to utter such sentiments as are now dropping from his
mouth!"
"Verily, he is not less noble in deed and word than in look," answered
Mead. "He is William Penn, the son of the admiral who fought so well
for the Commonwealth, and now serves a master about whom the less
we say the better."
"I remember him well; a brave, sagacious man, but one who was ever
ready to serve his own interest first, and those of his country afterwards.
I should not have expected to find a son of his consorting with
Quakers."
"No, verily; as light from darkness, so does the son differ from the
father in spiritual matters," answered Mead. "The son has sacrificed all
his worldly prospects for the sake of his own soul and for those of his
fellow-creatures. In a righteous cause he fears no foes, temporal or
spiritual; and is ready to lay down his life, if needs be, for the truth."
"A brave youth he must be, by my troth," observed Christison.
"Wenlock, my boy, I pray Heaven you may be like him. I would rather
have thee a thorough true-hearted man, than the first noble in the land."
At this moment, Mead, who had been stopped by the crowd from
making his way towards the place where William Penn was speaking,
saw an opportunity of advancing, and again moved forward,
accompanied by his old friend and his son. There was, indeed, a general
movement in the crowd, and voices in tones of authority were heard
shouting, "Make way there; make way!" The people who uttered these
cries were soon recognised as sheriffs' officers. They were advancing
towards Penn. Their intention was evident.

"They are about to arrest him," said Mead; "but he has done nothing
worthy of bonds."
"No, by my troth he has not," exclaimed Christison; "and I would
gladly, even now, strike a blow for the cause of liberty, and rescue him
from their power, if they attempt to lay hands on him."
"No, no, friend, put up thy sword," said Mead; "we fight not with
carnal weapons. He would not thank you for any such attempt on your
part."
By this time the constables had reached Penn, and informed him that he
was their prisoner. Two others at the same time came up to where
Mead was standing, and arrested him also. It was a sore trial to the old
Republican officer to stand by and see his friend carried off to prison.
"By whose authority am I arrested?" asked Penn, turning with an air of
dignity to the officers.
One of them immediately produced a document. "See here, young sir,"
he said in an insulting tone, "This is our warrant! It is signed by the
worshipful Lord Mayor, Sir Samuel Starling. I have a notion that
neither you nor any of your friends would wish to resist it."
"We resist no lawful authority; but I question how far this warrant is
lawful," answered the young Quaker. "Howbeit, if thou and thy
companions use force, to force we yield, and must needs accompany
thee whithersoever thou conductest us."
"Farewell, old friend," said Mead, shaking Christison by the hand, as
the constables were about to lead him off. "I would rather have spent a
pleasant evening with thee in my house than have had to pass it in a jail:
but yet in a righteous cause all true men should be ready to suffer."
"Indeed so, old comrade; and you know that I am not the man to desert
you at a pinch. As we are not to pass the evening together at your house,
I will spend it with you in jail. I suppose they will not exclude you from
the society of your friends?"

Mead shrugged his shoulders. "It is hard to say how we may be treated,
for we Quakers gain but scant courtesy or justice."
These last remarks were made as Mead, with a constable on either side
of him, was being led off with William Penn to the Guildhall.
The old Commonwealth officer and his son followed as close behind
them as the shouting, jeering mob would allow them; Christison
revolving in his mind how he should act best to render assistance to his
old friend. At length they arrived at the hall where the Lord Mayor was
sitting for the administration of justice.
Captain Christison and