The one aim of the people was to reach the court-house in order to gain admission as spectators, and although the building would not accommodate one in every hundred who were eager to enter, the thousands flocked thither, jostling and pushing each other in order to get a position among the foremost.
General Hamilton did all a man could to persuade them into remaining at a respectful distance, pointing out the uselessness of expecting to gain admittance; but yet they made their way into the town until our encampment was deserted by all save the better informed—say five hundred men, women and children.
We of the Regulators were ordered to get breakfast as best we might, and then fall into the ranks again, for we were to remain under arms the entire day lest our force might be needed in defense of the citizens.
"Are we like to be called upon for any serious service, sir?" I asked of Master Hunter, who chanced to pass where I was partaking of the morning meal with my parents, and he replied:
"It is hardly probable. Tryon will not attempt any more tricks, now that the time of opening court is so near at hand, and I believe our people will keep the peace, at least until after the decision of the judges is made known."
Then the deputy called my father aside, and the two held such long and earnest converse that I believed our officers were of the opinion the trial would be no more than a farce.
This idea was strengthened in my mind when mother showed such tender affection as I would leave her to take my place in the line which was being formed.
She bade me farewell as if believing we might never meet again, and despite all her efforts the tears came as she spoke.
I was not heartened by this evidence of fear, as may well be imagined, and hurried away to feed my horse in order that I might hide the evidences of my own emotion.
Half an hour later we of the Regulation were in something approaching a military formation, with our horses tethered just in the rear where we might be able to get at them without loss of time, and then came the most trying moment of all-waiting for Governor Tryon to show how far he dared to go in opposition to the law and the rights of the people.