Hamilton’s whip jerked in his hand, but he did not bring it down on Frederick. He wheeled about in a flurry of gravel and rode off toward the stables. By this time the other three had come up, and Frederick saw that they were constables. He burst into the kitchen, heedless of Aunt Lou’s wrath. But the kitchen was quiet with an ominous stillness. Only John was there, his back to the room, looking out the window. He turned quickly, and Frederick saw his quivering face. They grasped each other by the hand and stood together, waiting. The outside door opened a second time, admitting Master Freeland. His eyes were glinting steel in a grim face. His voice was harsh. “So, here you are!” He was looking at Frederick. “Go outside! These men want to question you.” “He ain’t done nothin’, Massa William.” There was panic in John’s appeal. “Shut up!” Freeland shoved Frederick toward the door. As he stepped outside, two constables seized him. “What do you want? Why do you take me?” A blow in the mouth cut his lip. They twisted his arm, throwing him to the ground. Hamilton, standing beside his horse, pointed to John, who had followed Frederick to the door. “That one, too. Take him!” He held a rifle in his hand. John cried out when they seized him. All this was taking place just outside the kitchen door, some distance from the barns and outhouses. Motionless black figures could be seen. Now a kind of hushed wail was heard. Henry, running with Sandy behind him, was coming from the barn. A constable met him, a heavy gun at his side. He carried a rope. Hamilton had pointed to Henry, nodding his head. “Tie him!” “Cross your hands!” ordered the constable. Henry was panting. He did not speak at once. In that moment he had seen everything. Then, looking straight at the man in front of him, he said, “I won’t!” They were all taken by surprise. The master of Freelands stared at a Henry he had never seen before. The constable sputtered. “Why you black ----! You won’t cross your hands!” He reached for his revolver. “Henry!” His master’s voice cracked. And Henry looked at him and said, with added emphasis, “No! I won’t!” The three constables now cocked their revolvers, surrounded him. Mr. Hamilton was agitated. He also drew his rifle. “By God, Freeland, he’s dangerous!” William Freeland could say nothing. Iron bands seemed to be choking him. _Henry!_ That clumsy, silly slave had grown a foot. “Shoot me! Shoot me and be damned! I won’t be tied!” And at the moment of saying it, with the guns at his breast, Henry quickly raised his arms and dashed the weapons from their hands, sending them flying in all directions. In the confusion which followed Frederick managed to get near John. “The pass?” he asked. “Do you have the pass?” “It’s burned. I put it in the stove.” “Good!” This much evidence was gone, anyway. Henry fought like a tiger. Inside the house, Old Missus heard the uproar and came out back.