They were awed--nay, paralyzed, by his daring.
But the storm raged too fiercely to be lulled, except for one brief minute.

A confusion of voices burst out afresh-- "Who be thee ?"--"It's one o' the Quakers."-- "No, he bean't."-- "Burn 'un, anyhow."-- "Touch 'un, if ye dare." There was evidently a division arising.

One big man, who had made himself very prominent all along, seemed trying to calm the tumult.
John stood his ground.

Once a torch was flung at him--he stooped and picked it up.

I thought he was going to hurl it back again, but he did not; he only threw it down, and stamped it out safely with his foot.
This simple action had a wonderful effect on the crowd.
The big fellow advanced to the gate and called John by his name.
"Is that you, Jacob Baines?
I am sorry to see you here." "Be ye, sir." "What do you want ?" "Nought wi' thee.