He held both his official positions by appointments of the Governor, to be sure; yet he knew that the preponderance of wealth, intelligence and bravery was with the white race; while at the same time he did not forget that if “a traitor to his race,” he would probably, through ostracism and insult, reap a bitter retribution from his own people. A peace warrant was, however, soon issued against Dan Pipsie, his “Daddy” being present to give bail for his future good behavior. Then, with some apparent reluctance and nervousness, the Justice called the principal case. Mr. Watta arose and announced that lawyer Kanrasp, from the county seat would appear for the defense. To this Robert Baker strenuously objected, as, not having been advised that attorneys would be employed, he had none. He therefore asked a postponement of the case. Kanrasp then suggested to his client that inasmuch as the proceedings had thus far been very informal—the paper served being neither a writ nor summons, and not at all a legal paper—he would withdraw from the case, and let Rives take judgment if he chose, when the case could be appealed to the Superior Court, where justice might be had. This he did on account of the extreme indignation manifested by the Bakers and their friends. Gaston, who was a shriveled, weason-faced specimen of the _genus homo_, with sandy hair, flaming whiskers, and a face in which whiskey held a profusion of freckles in purple solution, was the first to testify, which he did in accordance with his views of the affair. “Now, Captain,” said the Judge, when Gaston had finished, “as you have no counsel, you may question the witness if you want to.” Captain Doc was a well-made, medium sized and shrewd man, little less than forty years of age, with very dark complexion, having three-fourths African blood. He arose from his seat quite slowly, and squarely fronting Gaston, asked: “Mr. Gaston, did I treat yo’ with any disrespect when I spoke to yo’? Didn’t I treat yo’ politely?” “I ca’n’t say that you treated me with any disrespect; but I can say this much, that there was two or three members of your company that showed some impudence to me, and I also saw them load their guns.” “Mr. Gaston,” replied the Captain, looking searchingly in the eyes of the little man, “didn’t yo’ see me examining the cartridge-boxes and the pockets of the company, to see if they had any ammunition before we went on drill?” “Yes, I did.” “Did yo’ see any?” “No.” “_I_ did. I found one man with a cartridge in his pocket, and I took it away, and scolded him about it.” Gaston replied, “Yes, I saw that.” “Well then, are yo’ _certain_ that these men loaded their guns?” “I saw them moving them, and I thought they were loading them.”