Gentlemen," said Reverend Buckminster slowly, "there clearly are real dangers I had not anticipated." He looked at Turner, and Turner saw in his eyes—distrust. "Perhaps the Lord is leading you in your efforts. And if so, then what else could the minister of First Congregational say but that he is with you in this?"

"That, Reverend, is what we came to ask," said Mr. Stonecrop. "And it will not be long before Phippsburg is free from this sordidness, and we can start to rebuild ourselves. Someday soon, the settlement on Malaga Island will be no more. What conflict is developing in this excerpt?