“They build on sand,” said Noah. “But that fact of sand is precisely what they do not know. However, the President may teach then? with what light he sees fit. Should he decide to prolong their night of doubt, he has but to stay away.”
“And how would our black gentry construe his absence?”
“Assuredly they would incline to believe he was afraid.”
“Why, then,” cried I, “it might be difficult to say that the General will or will not attend a gathering of treason scheduled more than three months away. There is this to be recalled, however; the General has done few things because he was afraid.”
“But it is well,” returned Noah, “to have the President aware of what is in store. He will own the larger space for preparation. The gathering will continue a sort of secret for six weeks to come; nor is the traitor color thereof to be shown until a glass-and-bottle stage. When courage is high and caution fled, rebellion will be unpacked. You observe how surprise is arranged for. There will be hawks' eyes to catch the trend of presidential thought concerning it. There lies open the whole plot for you.”
“And many thanks,” said I. “Your warning, as you remark, has the mighty merit of being early. Rest secure the General will profit by it; he may even contrive some counter reason for amazement that shall become to our folk of Secession the very mother of dismay.”
When, now, Noah was about to go, he came back from the door with a new thought.
“This on Rivera's word,” said he. “The boy, however, is to be trusted when he tells merely what he sees and hears, and is not asked to think. There would seem to be a rough Maryland brood to hang about the tap-rooms—as many as ten, all told. They belong, so to say it, with that Catron whom we think of now and then for the pleasure he gave us at Gadsby's. Catron, somewhat the worse of his sword-arm, is also in town. These ruffians use your name and mine, and never in a way of praise. Should you go about the roads of nights, carry an ear for ones to come up behind. Also, walk warily where corners are dark.”
“And you?” said I, laughing at the comic twist with which Noah ornamented his counsel; “and you? Have you gone upon precautions?”
“No more than you see,” said Noah, bringing to light a knife of peculiar make. “I have no great burden of respect for just one man, however urgent his irritation or its reason. But a horde, and the members to be of midnight, hangdog sort, arouses the latent prudence of my race, and I comfort my nervousness with toys like this.” Here the queer knife made a flourish.