“Here they took the cars for Liverpool, and arrived the morning of the departure of the parties with their fireworks, poisoned clothing, etc., on the Will-o'-the-Wisp. She was a beauty—very long, with a sharp prow. She sat in the water like a seafowl, and sped away out of port as if she expected to attract the admiration of the immense throng on the wharf. They soon ascertained that the Fairy Queen, a very fast-going steamer, would leave the same evening for the same place,—Montreal, Canada,—and at once engaged passage and went on board of her.
“During the day the Captain said: 'Mr. Jackson, you are not as much of a talker as our friend Blackman. I do not believe there is one of the friends whom we have met in London who could tell your full name, where you were born, what your business is or has been, or where you intend going.'
“'No, sir,' replied Jackson; 'I never intrude myself upon any one. These gentlemen all seemed unreserved in their conversation, did they not? How did they know that I could be trusted with their secrets?'
“'Oh! they knew that I would not have introduced you unless I knew you were all right. And they do not seem to appreciate the enormity of what they are doing. Oh! I did not tell you the curious dream that haunted me in my sleep last night?'
“'No,' replied Jackson; 'will you tell me what it was?'
“'Yes, sir. It was this: I dreamed that Dr. Mears and the Professor had committed a murder in London, and were tried, convicted and hanged; they were both cremated mated, and that you and I were invited to see it; then their bodies were in a blaze like tinder, and soon became nothing but a small quantity of ashes.'
“Jackson said that was a very singular dream.
“'But that was not all. I thought that Dr. Blackman was a perfect sight to behold with smallpox, and that he was delirious, and jumped into the Thames, and that you and I rescued him, took him to the hospital, and had him attended to. I then awoke. The whole thing was so vivid to my mind that I believed it to be true for a moment. What say you to this? I believe somewhat in dreams, and fear that these reckless men will get into trouble with their infernal machines, or fireworks, and poisons. They must not be permitted to carry out their hellish purposes, as I told you, and you agreed that they shall not do it. I will suffer death before I will see these plots succeed and carry the guilty knowledge on my conscience through life. I swear, if President Davis has sanctioned this, I hope the Confederacy may sink into utter nothingness. What say you?'
“Said Jackson: 'I agree to all, except I do not believe in dreams.'
“'Well, well, we shall see,' said the Captain. 'It is a warning of some kind.9