As has already been stated, quite a number of colored citizens, and of the rank and file of the militia men, had gathered in and about the armory, hoping to find protection there. Among them was Dan Pipsie, who was quite sober, and his own plucky self. “Well, if I war Captain Doc, I’d do anyt’ing on earth to settle dis myself,” said Dan. “I wouldn’t have de blood of all dese collo’d families on _my_ head. When I die, I don’t want no man’s wife cussin’ me, noh blamin’ me fo’ his death.” “Capt. Doc a’n’t a bit to blame now,” replied Mann Harris. “I was ’bout two hundred yards from ’em at the time of the fuss. I saw Gaston and Tom Baker drive down, and get out and go into Nunberger’s store. I saw the company coming back, an’ they was a gwoine up then, and they met and talked awhile, an’ the company divided an’ let them go through. Let’s go down, an’ see Rives about this, Ned O’Bran, an’ git him to send a dispatch to the Governor to help us.” “Well, come on,” replied Ned. They entered the quiet office of the Justice, and found him sitting there alone, and looking over books and papers. “General, what _is_ you doing?” asked Harris, with emphasis. “I am waiting for people to come into court again.” “If you wait here awhile longer, they’ll make you jump out o’ here entirely!” “What is the matter?” “Well, there’s about four hundred men out there with guns and pistols.” “Ah! I’ll go out and see—Well, really, this is surprising! What is all this about?” “I don’t know,” said the excited Harris. “They’re gwoine to take the guns away from the armory.” The three men walked up the street conversing. Meanwhile Captain Doc entered his own apartments, which it will be remembered, were in the same building as the armory or drill room. “I’ve been in my shirt sleeves,” said he to his wife, “ever since I left my bench at noon; but, (with a grim smile,) if I’m gwoine to see such big men as General Baker or the Laud, I reckon I’d best put my coat on.” “Oh, Doc, don’t talk so ’bout de Laud! I’m awful scarred to have yo’ go.” “I’ve got a right to go. They say General Baker’s gone up to the Council Chamber, and he and Garndon’ll be expecting us.” “I’m awful scarred fo’ yo’, an’ I’m a mind to go ’way myself. ’Spex they’ll be shootin’ ’round yere so the baby couldn’t sleep no how. Mann Harris, he’s taken his wife off, ’bout an hour by sun, or so, poor soul! sick as she’s been, now mighty nigh on to a year. Mann tole me he’d positive his word thar’ would be no fuss nor killin’; but I’d positive my word he war’ ’feared, else he wouldn’t come totin’ Dinah down all dem stairs, an hauled ’er off up to Miss Pipton’s; fo’ it’s mighty nigh on to fo’ mile ovah da; and Dinah has determined to me that it hurt her tolerable bad to stir at all.” The Captain had been looking out of the window while she spoke, towards Dunn’s store and the Council Chambers, Turning abruptly, he asked— “Where is the baby?”