In which the young Henry Morton is introduced to the raucous and discordant council of presbyterian insurgents, where zeal and division cloud judgment and harsh voices call for relentless vengeance against their foes. Amidst this turbulent assembly, he grapples with the stark reality of fanaticism and resolves to uphold a measure of conscience and moderation, even as the gathering prepares to mould the uncertain fruits of their recent victory.