“And what is the intentions of the white folks?”
“I do not know, except that they intend to get some security that the negroes shall give up their guns, and stop drilling. They say they do not feel secure in their lives and property while the Militia is drilling with arms in their hands.”
“What has the colored people ever done? And why don’t they treat them so well that they won’t be afraid of them? They’re State Militia.”
“I know, I know that Jesse; but our boys will listen to nothing. I’m afraid of the consequences, and do not want another war.”
“A good many of ’em is pretty old “boys,”—old Confederate soldiers,” said Roome, “and there can’t be much that is worse than this, judging by the guns we hear. How do you know there’s any gone?”
“They went by my store, and I tried to persuade them not to go.”
“Who was they?”
“I can not give names, Jesse.”
“Did Hankins go, Mr. Payne?”