Under the Storm | Page 9

see this work," he said to Steadfast, as he
stopped by her grave. "They say 'tis done for religion's sake, but I know
not what to make of it."
The old Parish Clerk, North, had had a stroke the night after the
plunder of the church, and lay a-dying and insensible. His wife gave his
keys to Master Kenton, and on the following Sunday there was a
hue-and-cry for them, and Oates the father, the cobbler, a meddling
fellow, came down with a whole rabble of boys after him to the farm to
demand them. "A preacher had come out from Bristol," he said, "a
captain in the army, and he was calling for the keys to get into the
church and give them a godly discourse. It would be the worse for
Master Kenton if he did not give them up."
John had just sat down in the porch in his clean Sunday smock with the
baby on his knee, and Rusha clinging about him waiting till Stead had

cleaned himself up, and was ready to read to them from the mother's
books.
When he understood Gates' message he slowly said, "I be in charge of
the keys for this here parish."
"Come, come, Master Kenton, this wont do, give 'un up or you'll be
made to. Times are changed, and we don't want no parsons nor
churchwardens now, nor no such popery!"
"I'm accountable to the vestry for the church," gravely said Kenton. "I
will come and see what is doing, and open the church if so be as the
parish require it."
"Don't you see! The parish does--"
"I don't call you the parish, Master Gates, nor them boys neither," said
Kenton, getting up however, and placing the little one in the cradle, as
he called out to Patience to keep back the dinner till his return. The two
boys and Rusha followed him to see what would happen.
Long before they reached the churchyard they heard the sound of a
powerful voice, and presently they could see all the men and women of
the parish as it seemed, gathered about the lych gate, where, on the
large stone on which coffins were wont to be rested, stood a tall thin
man, in a heavy broad-brimmed hat, large bands, crimson scarf, and
buff coat, who was in fiery and eager words calling on all those around
to awaken from the sleep of sloth and sin, break their bonds and fight
for freedom and truth. He waved his long sword as he spoke and dared
the armies of Satan to come on, and it was hard to tell which he really
meant, the forces of sin, or the armies of men whom he believed to be
fighting on the wrong side.
Someone told him that the keys of the church were brought, but he
heeded not the interruption, except to thunder forth "What care I for
your steeple house! The Church of God is in the souls of the faithful. Is
it not written 'The kingdom of heaven is within you?' What, can ye not
worship save between four walls?" And then he went on with the
utmost fervour and vehemence, calling on all around to set themselves
free from the chains that held them and to strive even to the death.
He meant all he said. He really believed he was teaching the only way
of righteousness, and so his words had a force that went home to
people's hearts as earnestness always does, and Jephthah, with tears in
his eyes, began begging and praying his father to let him go and fight

for the good Cause.
"Aye, aye," said Kenton, "against the world, the flesh, and the devil,
and welcome, my son."
"Then I'll go and enlist under Captain Venn," cried Jeph.
"Not so fast, my lad. What I gave you leave for was to fight with the
devil."
"You said the good Cause!"
"And can you tell me which be the good Cause?"
"Why, this here, of course. Did not you hear the Captain's good words,
and see his long sword, and didn't they give five marks for Croppie's
bull calf?"
"Fine words butter no parsnips," slowly responded Kenton.
"But," put in Steadfast, "butter is risen twopence the pound."
"Very like," said Kenton, "but how can that be the good Cause that
strips the Churches and claps godly ministers into jail?"
Jephthah thought he had an answer, but fathers in those times did not
permit themselves to be argued with.
Prices began going up still higher, for the Cavaliers were reported to be
on their way to besiege Bristol, and the garrison wanted all the
provisions they could lay in, and paid well for them. When Kenton and
his boys went down to market, they found the