Eastgate answered in
the affirmative; and, with a steady countenance, assured him, he
would not fail to give him the rendezvous at the hour he
mentioned. So saying, he retired; and the challenger stayed some
time in manifest agitation. In the morning, Eastgate, who knew
his man, and had taken his resolution, went to Prankley's
lodgings, and roused him by five o'clock.
The squire, in all probability, cursed his punctuality in his
heart, but he affected to talk big; and having prepared his
artillery overnight, they crossed the water at the end of the
South Parade. In their progress up the hill, Prankley often eyed
the parson, in hopes of perceiving some reluctance in his
countenance; but as no such marks appeared, he attempted to
intimidate him by word of mouth. 'If these flints do their office
(said he) I'll do thy business in a few minutes.' 'I desire you
will do your best (replied the other); for my part, I come not
here to trifle. Our lives are in the hands of God; and one of us
already totters on the brink of eternity' This remark seemed to
make some impression upon the squire, who changed countenance,
and with a faultering accent observed, 'That it ill became a
clergyman to be concerned in quarrels and bloodshed' -- 'Your
insolence to me (said Eastgate) I should have bore with patience,
had not you cast the most infamous reflections upon my order, the
honour of which I think myself in duty bound to maintain, even at
the expence of my heart's blood; and surely it can be no crime to
put out of the world a profligate wretch, without any sense of
principle, morality, or religion' -- 'Thou may'st take away my life
(cried Prankley, in great perturbation) but don't go to murder my
character.
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