Others declared that it was a plot of the entire negro population to burn
down the city. This belief was strengthened by the fact that, in one of
the last fires, a slave of one of the most prominent citizens was seen to
leap from the window, and make off over garden fences. A shout was
immediately raised by the spectators, and a pursuit commenced. The
terrified fugitive made desperate efforts to escape, but being overtaken,
he was seized, and, pale as death, lifted on men's shoulders and carried
to jail.

Added to all this, men now remembered it lacked but a few days of being
the anniversary of the bloody riot of thirty years ago. They began to
watch and question the negroes, and one of the Spanish sailors, on being
interrogated, gave such unsatisfactory, suspicious answers, that the whole
crew were arrested, and thrown into prison. But that same afternoon, while
the magistrates, whom the alarming state of things had called together,
were in consultation about it, the cry of "Fire!" again startled the
entire community. The ringing of the alarm-bell had now become almost as
terrifying as the sound of the last trumpet, and the panic became general.
The first step was to ascertain if there were any strangers in town who
might be concealed enemies, and a thorough search was made--the militia
being ordered out, and sentries posted at the ends of all the streets,
with orders to stop all persons carrying bags and bundles. This was done
on the 13th of April. None being found, the conclusion became inevitable
that some dark, mysterious plot lay at the bottom of it all, and the
inhabitants thought the city was doomed, like Sodom. First, the more
timorous packed up their valuable articles and fled into the country, up
toward Canal Street. This increased the panic, which swelled until almost
the entire population were seen hurrying through the streets, fleeing for
their lives. The announcement of an approaching army would not have
created a greater stampede. Every cart and vehicle that could be found was