Three of his sons, true to the vow, were with him. Little
thought the farmers around that hard by that farmhouse a few
thousand weapons were stored and that a little band of mysterious
strangers was gathering there, but so it was. To the last there
was much opposition to Brown's impulsive scheme. Once, indeed,
he resigned leadership, but the little group passed a horrible
five minutes of bereavement and then re-elected him with many
promises of support. Sublime old madman!--if mad indeed he was!
Had he not made them all feel like himself, 'that they have but
one life and once to die; and if they lose their lives perchance
it will do more for the cause than their lives would be worth in
any other way?'
One reluctant darkie, rescued by him from slavery, was challenged
to say what he would do. He hesitated--looked at his shaggy old
benefactor, and then, with heart surcharged with gratitude, said,
'I believe I'll go wid de ole man.'
Ah! the old man's soul had entered into them--it kept them
'marching on.' In the dark, wet night of October 16, 1859, they
mustered quietly. The captain addressed them, and he was no
reckless destroyer of human life who thus spake: 'Gentlemen, let
me press this one thing on your minds.
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