Mr. McDonald could scarcely believe they were ever more
startling than those held in later years.
With this digression we will return to our young travellers, who, having
secured their horse under the sheltering trees by the roadside, and
fortified their courage by doing justice to the lunch Mrs. Fremont had
prepared for them, now entered the crowded church and stood among the
number of observers in the aisle.
The inside of the edifice had an unfinished look, and the arrangement of
the seats was uncommon, but to most people the seats themselves formed a
most unusual sight, for they were all without backs, the reason of which
soon became apparent.
The meeting had commenced, and the minister was preaching, but it must be
confessed that there was little heed given to his words, for the attention
of the people was attracted to the centre of the church, where a number of
people were already under the peculiar influence; but our little party,
being at a distance, watched the proceedings with a feeling of safety, yet
not unmixed with fear and dread.
Presently a young girl about seventeen or twenty, who sat in a seat quite
near, began to be affected, and all eyes were turned in her direction.
Pages:
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267