Answering Liberty's Call

Of course, Benjamin had to go. From the first day of our married life, I understood he would always answer the call of liberty. When he and Thomas returned that afternoon, Benjamin dismounted slowly. I flew down the porch steps to meet him and he flinched when I threw my arms around him. Judging from the state of his wedding clothes, he’d been brawling in the dirt. A shiny purple bruise ringed one eye above a gash on his cheek. He didn’t react when I felt around his eye socket but when I reached inside his coat and pressed on his side he pulled away, insisting, “It’s nothing.”

“What happened?”

Thomas touched his fingers to a cut on his lip, checking for fresh bleeding. “They roughed him up a bit but he’s seen worse.”

“Indeed, I think I’ve seen worse from you, Brother.”

Thomas nodded as he flexed his right hand. “But we gave as good as we got.”

Benjamin explained, “The magistrate called the sheriff and had us removed from the courthouse. Some of the deputies set upon us after.”

“What of Brother Craig?” I looked down and realized I was clutching a handful of Benjamin’s coat.

“We went to the jail and spoke to him through the bars on the window. We told him we’d post bail but as the court has refused to call the case to the bench, he languishes.”

“Can they do that?”

“They’ve warned him before not to preach without permission so they say he must wait until there’s room on the docket to hear his case.” Benjamin glanced at his brother. “That was when the trouble started.”

Thomas shrugged. “I merely pointed out to the magistrate that refusing to call the case violated common law and the writ of habeas corpus.”

“Yes, but the magistrate didn’t appreciate you standing up while court was in session to tell him so.”

“He did appear somewhat vexed.” Thomas turned to me.“Your husband was brilliant. He should study law. He told the magistrate the church should fear us dissenters.”

Benjamin shook his head. “I’ve chosen to study God’s law, Brother—and you have it backward. I told the magistrate that if the Anglicans’ beliefs and practices were truly superior, its followers should have no need to persecute those who disagree—and no man has the right to force another to join a church. Not the Anglicans, nor we.”

I looked from one to the other. “You’re both lucky you didn’t end up in the cell with Brother Craig for insulting the magistrate.”