"I don't know," was all I said. But I did know that he would be on the train as soon as it started, and he was. At the next stop, I said to him, "Get a rod and help me with the horses." This he did. There were four of them down, but before the conductor could get to us, we had them all up. He saw us at work and called from two car-lengths away, "Are they all right, boys?" "All right," we answered back. It was "boys" now, and I knew that the black, too, was safe. At nine o'clock, having been joined by three more white men, we finally rolled into Memphis. CHAPTER XXVII MEMPHIS--A CITY'S FAULT AND A NATION'S WRONG "_Society must necessarily look at these things because they are created by it._"--HUGO. On my arrival in Memphis I was greeted by a severe storm. Although chilled and almost starving my first desire was to secure my baggage, which I had sent on from Cleveland, and go to a hotel. But there were the conditions of the homeless and needy of Memphis to be studied. Under what more convincing and truthful conditions could I find need in Memphis for the erection and maintenance of a Municipal Emergency Home? So with renewed determination I decided to learn of what Memphis had to offer to the homeless, hungry worker. My brisk walk from the railroad yards to the heart of the city warmed my thoroughly-numbed body. I realized that I must have food. I was at my goal. Here was a chance to work for the government. I expected to be shipped on the first boat. I know my personal appearance was decidedly against me as I entered Memphis. Soiled, black, unshaven, unwashed, I felt certain of arrest if seen by the police. Entering several hotels I asked work for a meal, but was promptly denied. The good things glowed in the dining-room windows. People seated at tables were eating all and everything they wanted. Outside on the street, well-dressed people hurried on to their homes. Must I beg, after all? No. Here, too, it was against the city ordinance as well as against my contract. I decided to try one more place. I entered one of the largest restaurants and approaching the manager, I said, "I am hungry. Can I do something for you for a little to eat?" He looked me squarely in the eye with a merry twinkle in his own and said, "You look like the devil. Just drop in on a coal special?" "No, a Standard Oil," I answered. "Go back there," pointing toward the kitchen, "wash up, get some supper. My silver man has not shown up yet. If he does not, help them out in there." What a feast that supper, for which I worked half an hour! What the black cook did not give me was not in the restaurant. The silver man came, and I was again on the street. I was growing so weary and felt the need of sleep, but with a clean face and clean hands, and a brush up, I had the courage to ask a policeman where I could get a free bed. He replied,