The Gray Champion

: TALES OF PURITAN LAND
: Myths And Legends Of Our Own Land

It befell Sir Edmund Andros to make himself the most hated of the

governors sent to represent the king in New England. A spirit of

independence, born of a free soil, was already moving in the people's

hearts, and the harsh edicts of this officer, as well as the oppressive

measures of his master, brought him into continual conflict with the

people. He it was who went to Hartford to demand the surrender of the

liberties f that colony. The lights were blown out and the patent of

those liberties was hurried away from under his nose and hidden from his

reach in a hollow of the Charter Oak.



In Boston, too, he could call no American his friend, and it was there

that he met one of the first checks to his arrogance. It was an April

evening in 1689, and there was an unusual stir in the streets. People

were talking in low tones, and one caught such phrases as, If the Prince

of Orange is successful, this Andros will lose his head. Our pastors

are to be burned alive in King Street. The pope has ordered Andros to

celebrate the eve of St. Bartholomew in Boston: we are to be killed.

Our old Governor Bradstreet is in town, and Andros fears him. While

talk was running in this excited strain the sound of a drum was heard

coming through Cornhill. Now was seen a file of soldiers with guns on

shoulder, matches twinkling in the falling twilight, and behind them, on

horseback, Andros and his councillors, including the priest of King's

Chapel, all wearing crucifixes at their throats, all flushed with wine,

all looking down with indifference at the people in their dark cloaks and

broadbrimmed hats, who looked back at them with suspicion and hate. The

soldiers trod the streets like men unused to giving way, and the crowd

fell back, pressed against the buildings. Groans and hisses were heard,

and a voice sent up this cry, Lord of Hosts, provide a champion for thy

people!



Ere the echo of that call had ceased there came from the other end of the

street, stepping as in time to the drum, an aged man, in cloak and

steeple hat, with heavy sword at his thigh. His port was that of a king,

and his dignity was heightened by a snowy beard that fell to his waist.

Taking the middle of the way he marched on until he was but a few paces

from the advancing column. None knew him and he seemed to recognize none

among the crowd. As he drew himself to his height, it seemed in the dusk

as if he were of no mortal mould. His eye blazed, he thrust his staff

before him, and in a voice of invincible command cried, Halt!



Half because it was habit to obey the word, half because they were cowed

by the majestic presence, the guard stood still and the drum was

silenced. Andros spurred forward, but even he made a pause when he saw

the staff levelled at his breast. Forward! he blustered. Trample the

dotard into the street. How dare you stop the king's governor?



I have stayed the march of a king himself, was the answer. The king

you serve no longer sits on the throne of England. To-morrow you will be

a prisoner. Back, lest you reach the scaffold!



A moment of hesitation on Andros's part encouraged the people to press

closer, and many of them took no pains to hide the swords and pistols

that were girt upon them. The groans and hisses sounded louder. Down

with Andros! Death to tyrants! A curse on King James! came from among

the throng, and some of them stooped as if to tear up the pavings.

Doubtful, yet overawed, the governor wheeled about and gloomily marched

back through the streets where he had ridden so arrogantly. In truth, his

next night was spent in prison, for James had fled from England, and

William held the throne. All eyes being on the retreating company, the

champion of the people was not seen to depart, but when they turned to

praise and thank him he had vanished, and there were those who said that

he had melted into twilight.



The incident had passed into legend, and fourscore years had followed it,

when the soldiers of another king of England marched down State Street,

and fired on the people of Boston who were gathered below the old State

House. Again it was said that the form of a tall, white-bearded man in

antique garb was seen in that street, warning back the troops and

encouraging the people to resist them. On the little field of Lexington

in early dawn, and at the breastwork on Bunker Hill, where farmers worked

by lantern-light, this dark form was seen--the spirit of New England. And

it is told that whenever any foreign foe or domestic oppressor shall dare

the temper of the people, in the van of the resisting army shall be found

this champion.