Mr. Diggs had come to the meeting with the intention of making one of his most patriotic speeches; but when he discovered his old enemies, their eyes sparkling with mischief, his heart sank within him.
Nearly all present were armed with shot-guns, rifles and pistols, and a guard was placed about the school-house. Preliminary matters settled, Howard Jones rose and addressed the chairman of the meeting, stating that, as they had with them the distinguished attorney, Patrick Henry Diggs, who was in sympathy with the cause, he would like to hear from him.
Despite the stirring times, everybody present was eagerly expectant of fun. Cries for Diggs were heard all over the house. Mr. Diggs' opinion of Jones rose rapidly.
"Mr. Speaker," began Mr. Diggs, rising and gazing about through his glasses, "in the language of one of old
"'I come not here to talk. You know too well
The story of our thralldom.—'"
Here he made a gesture with both hands, which Jones declared looked like a turtle trying to crawl up hill.
"'We are slaves.'"
A solemn pause.