Wesley Corpus

forward at once into the midst of them, and said, ‘‘ Here I am. Which of you has any thing to say to me? To which of you have I done any wrong? To you? Or you? Or you?” I continued speaking, till I came, bare-headed as I was, (for I purposely left my hat, that they might all see my face,) into the middle of the street, and then raising my voice, said, “ Neighbours, countrymen! Do you desire to hear me speak!” They cried vehemently, “Yes, yes. He shall speak! He shall. Nobody shall hinder him.” But having nothing to stand on and no advantage of ground, I could be heard by few only. However T spoke without intermission, and, as far as the sound reached, the people were still; till one or two of their captains turned about and swore, not a man should touch him. Mr. Thomas, a clergyman, then came up, and asked. “ Are you not ashamed to use a stranger thus ?” He was soon seconded by two or three gentlemen of the town, and one of the aldermen; with whom I walked down the town, speaking all . the time, till I came to Mrs. Maddern’s house. The gentlemen proposed sending for my horse to the door, and desired me to step in and rest the mean time. But on second thoughts, thev judged it not advisable to let me go out among the people again: so they chose to send my horse before me to Penryn, and to send me thither by water , the sea running close by the back door of the house in which we were. I never saw before, no, not at Walsal itself, the hand of God so plainly shown as here. There I had many companions who were willing to die with me: here, not a friend, but one simple girl, who likewise was hurried away from me in-an instant, as soon as ever she came out of Mrs. B.’s door.