The Bishop was with his
countrymen, heart and soul. No man's eye flashed with a nobler anger
than his. "God defend the brave fellows!" he said, fervently.
"I shall start for Texas to-morrow," said John.
"I don't see how you can help it, John. I wish I could go with you."
"If you hadn't been a preacher, you would have made a grand soldier,
father."
"John, every good preacher would make a good soldier. I have been
fighting under a grand Captain for forty years. And I do acknowledge
that the spirit of my forefathers is in me. They fought with Balfour
at Drumelog, and with Cromwell at Dunbar. I would reason with the
Lord's enemies, surely, John, I would reason with them; but if they
would not listen to reason, and took advantage of mercy and
forbearance, I would give them the sword of Gideon and of Cromwell, and
the rifles of such men as are with Houston--men born under a free
government, and baptized in a free faith."
Richard and Phyllis were standing at the garden gate, watching for
their arrival; and before either of them spoke, Phyllis divined that
something unusual was occupying their minds. "What is the matter?"
she asked; "you two look as if you had been in a fight, and won a
victory."
"We will take the words as a good prophecy," answered the Bishop. "John
is going to a noble warfare, and, I am sure, to a victorious one.
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