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so, I stated to the people within the sound of my
voice, that Thompson was not in town, supposing
that this declaration might induce some to go away
and render others more quiet, but it had no such
effect. The mob becoming more boisterous and
inflamed, I was well satisfied that we were menaced
with a serious riot. The passage-way was, however,
maintained by the officers, but by no means with
out the exercise of great strength as well as spirit.
I went
Having no doubt of what was approaching,
up stairs with the intention of representing the
state of things to the females assembled, and of ad
vising them to withdraw. I found twenty or thirty
persons (perhaps one half lads) crowding about the
door of the room. I was not aware till that time
that these individuals were in the building, but I
suppose that they entered before Mr. Pollard reached
the spot. And in consequence of the dense throng
now in front, it was very difficult to get them out.
On entering the room, I found twenty-five or thirty
women assembled there, mostly white, but some
negroes and mulattoes. They were all seated except
the chairman ; but, on speaking to them, several rose
and came towards me. One said in substance, that
if it was necessary to die in that cause, they might
as well die there and then. Not considering these
women in any danger of their lives or of personal
injury, at the worst, exposed only to insult and
to be the spectators of a disgraceful riot, I smiled
any rate they could not die there."
At and replied,
"
Another said that they would withdraw, if I would
secure them a passage. To effect this I went down
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