had better have a good force, as he heard it was John Brown he
might encounter. John puts his host of twenty-three men all told
into battle array in front of the wagons, and gives the laconic
order, 'Now go straight at 'em, boys, they are sure to run.'
Into the water his men charge--but the baptism of water is all
they are fated to pass through; there is no baptism of fire to
follow, for, scared at the impulsive charge, and filled with
vague terror at that irrepressible John Brown, the Marshal
springs upon his horse and skedaddles. His men scramble to their
horses. Some cannot untie them from the shrubs quickly enough;
several animals carry two men, and, to complete the ludicrousness
of the scene, one man, fearing he might be too late, grips fast
the tail of the steed to which the proper rider has just set
spurs, and, vainly trying to spring on behind, is seen with his
feet off the ground, being whirled through the air. A few
prisoners are speedily added to Brown's little company, who,
thinking it is perhaps prudent to keep men off horseback who were
so prone to flight, orders them to walk.

But he has ideas of courtesy, has this rough old warrior, and
says he means them no unkindness and will walk with them. Such a
favourable opportunity must in no wise be missed, so the old
soldier-prophet gives them his mind upon the wickedness of slave-
holding and the meanness of slave-hunting, which discourse, let
us hope, is not wholly unfruitful. When he has held them for one
night he thinks they have been brought far enough from their
haunts to prevent further mischief, and sets them free. That one
night spent with him they are not likely to forget. He would not
so much as allow them the privilege of swearing. 'No taking of
God's name in vain gentlemen; if there is a God you will gain