“Louie,” called Marmor, from the office. “Don’t say such things. Nobody’ll hurt you, nor the baby. Where is your mamma?”
“She is here crying—sitting right here crying.”
“The man arose quickly, and entered the room. “Why, Jane,” said he, “what are you crying about? It will be all settled, and there’ll be no fuss.”
“Don’t you wish you could make me believe that, when you know you don’t believe it yourself? I do wish you would go away over to the city, and take the train somewhere. I know they will be after you. You know they want you killed, because you are a radical leader; and now will be their time.”
“Do you suppose I would go and leave you and the children?”
“You know you couldn’t defend us, and we don’t need it. We’re a great deal safer without you than with you. I should fret all the time for fear that you had fallen into their hands, to be sure; but I know there is no chance for you to escape death if you stay here.”
Marmor returned to his office, and found that his friends had all left. He saw them approaching Rives’s house. There they found Captain Doc and the Trial Justice in earnest conversation.
“I can’t appear before your court, Judge Rives—not to-day,” said the captain; “for I feel that your court is unable to protect my life, and I believe my life is unsafe. I am willing that yo’ should go to work and draw up a bond, that yo’ think proper, and I am willing to give bonds to a higher court, where I think my life will be safe. The reason I come to yo’ to tell yo’, is because I don’t want yo’ to suppose that I treat yo’r court with no disrespect by not coming; but it is because I don’t think my life is safe.”
The Justice reflected.
“Well, you must use your own judgment,” said he. “Of course, if your life is unsafe, and if these men intend to take your life, of course, I can’t protect you. I haven’t protection enough to protect you; my constables can’t do much!”