ormation, things looked mysterious. He told me not to fear, but to
flatter those who had requested me to perjure myself, with a prospect of
compliance with their wishes. I went from his room to my boarding-house,
and from thence to the hospital. Here I found the colonel surrounded
with some twenty citizens, who resided in and about Wheeling and
Pittsburgh, all members of the fraternity. Some were men of great
respectability in the community where they lived, and doubtless remain
so to the present day. They held out flattering hopes that bail would
yet be secured, but all left the city in a few days, without rendering
any assistance whatever.

The preliminaries for the trial were arranged. Taylor was indicted. The
younger brother being state's evidence, had an encouraging prospect of
acquittal. Unfortunately, the colonel had taken a wrong position at the
start. He had been betrayed by those of the brotherhood who had the
influence requisite for assistance. The cheat had been carried so far by
fair and continued promises, it was now too late to retrieve himself. I
felt deeply interested for him. He was a noble specimen of mankind. He
possessed abilities worthy of a more honourable application. He bore all
his misfortunes with unexampled fortitude. The night after his Wheeling
and Pittsburgh associates had betrayed his confidence, he conversed with
me for some time. The main topic of his conversation was about certain
men who resided in Lawrenceburgh and its vicinity. He gave recitals of
things which had been done by men living in and near that place, which
cannot be contemplated without a feeling of horror. I was actually
shocked and chilled, especially as I knew the actors. The whole seemed
to me like some dreadful vision of the night, and I could hardly believe
the evidence of my senses in favor of actual perpetration. The colonel
continued:

"They fear me; they are seeking to crush me while professing the
greatest friendship." He paused after adding, "to-morrow I will give you
some advice which will be of everlasting benefit. Be careful that you do
not mention it."

Having returned to my boarding-house, I was very closely interrogated by
Mrs. B. and the aforesaid pettifogger, in reference to my absence.

"Where had I been all night, and what had detained me from my meals the
day before?"

I told them, at which they eyed one another closely. Mrs. B. observed--

"I think the colonel must be hard run for assistance,