Випадок Чарльза Декстера Варда

           Amomentlater,astherecedingcoachclatteredfaintlyovertheMuddyDockBridge,Weedenappeared;andtheraidersfellsilentlyintomilitaryorderinthestreet,shoulderingthefirelocks,fowling-pieces,orwhalingharpoonswhichtheyhadwiththem.WeedenandSmithwerewiththeparty,andofthedeliberatingcitizenstherewerepresentforactiveserviceCapt.Whipple,theleader,Capt.EsekHopkins,JohnCarter,PresidentManning,Capt.Mathewson,andDr.Bowen;togetherwithMosesBrown,whohadcomeupattheeleventhhourthoughabsentfromthepreliminarysessioninthetavern.Allthesefreemenandtheirhundredsailorsbeganthelongmarchwithoutdelay,grimandatrifleapprehensiveastheylefttheMuddyDockbehindandmountedthegentleriseofBroadStreettowardthePawtuxetRoad.JustbeyondElderSnow’schurchsomeofthementurnedbacktotakeapartinglookatProvidencelyingoutspreadundertheearlyspringstars.Steeplesandgablesrosedarkandshapely,andsaltbreezessweptupgentlyfromthecovenorthoftheBridge.Vegawasclimbingabovethegreathillacrossthewater,whosecrestoftreeswasbrokenbytheroof-lineoftheunfinishedCollegeedifice.Atthefootofthathill,andalongthenarrowmountinglanesofitsside,theoldtowndreamed;OldProvidence,forwhosesafetyandsanitysomonstrousandcolossalablasphemywasabouttobewipedout.

           Anhourandaquarterlatertheraidersarrived,aspreviouslyagreed,attheFennerfarmhouse;wheretheyheardafinalreportontheirintendedvictim.