"I like their general idea of considering the vital spirit of the Scripture more than the mere outward letter.

But in this case, it seems to me, they are in bondage to the mere letter 'thou shalt not kill;' not seeing that to kill, in many cases, is really to save, not only life, but all that makes life valuable." That evening just about dusk, the two young men mounted their horses, and rode down one of the roads that led to Salem town, leaving Salem village on the right--thinking best not to pass through the village.
Within a mile or so of the town, Master Putnam said, "here is the place" and led the way into a bridle path that ran into the woods.

In about five minutes he halted again, gave a low whistle, and a voice said, a short distance from them, "Who are you, strangers ?" "Friends in need," replied Master Putnam.
"Then ye are friends indeed," said the voice; and Robert Foster, the jailer, stepped from behind the trunk of a tree into the path.
"Well, Robie, how's the little girl ?" said Master Joseph.
"Bonnie as could be expected," was the answer.
"She sends word to you, sir," addressing Master Raymond, "that you had better not come to see her.

She knows well all you could say--just as well as if she heard it, the brave, bonnie lassie!" "I know it," replied Master Raymond.

"Tell her I think of her every moment--and that things look bright." "Let us get out of this glooming, and where we can see a rod around us," suggested the jailer.