But on the instant the Vladika {1} held up his hands and motioned them to desist.

In the immediate silence he spoke, sharply at first, but later ascending to a high pitch of single-minded, lofty eloquence.

His words rang in my ears long after the meeting was over and other thoughts had come between them and the present.
"Silence!" he thundered.

"Make no echoes in the forest or through the hills at this dire time of stress and threatened danger to our land.
Bethink ye of this meeting, held here and in secret, in order that no whisper of it may be heard afar.

Have ye all, brave men of the Blue Mountains, come hither through the forest like shadows that some of you, thoughtless, may enlighten your enemies as to our secret purpose?
The thunder of your guns would doubtless sound well in the ears of those who wish us ill and try to work us wrong.