ilently to store arms. Then with a small company he
would seize Harper's Ferry. Having possessed himself of its stores, he
would retreat to the mountains, where he hoped there would be
considerable rallying to his standard. Holding his own amid mountain
fastnesses of which he had acquired an intimate knowledge, he thought
he might at last become strong enough to make terms with the Government.

We next find him passing as Isaac Smith, a Maryland farmer--known to
his neighbours as a demure, somewhat eccentric, son of the soil. 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. You all know how dear life is to you, and how dear your
lives are to your friends; and in remembering that, consider that the
lives of others are as dear. Do not therefore take the life of any one
if you can possibly avoid it, but if it is necessary to take life in
order to save your own, then make sure work of it.'

Two of them were deputed to hasten, when the town was in their hands,
to Colonel Washington's house, four miles distant--to seize him, free
his slaves, and take the relic of the house, the famed sword of his
illustrious ancestor George Washington, that with this in hand John
Brown might head the campaign. That feat they actually performed, and
for one brief