"Ring off," said Martin.
Gus now called up the Governor's office.
"Governor, this is Gus Martin. Will you perteck my life if I surrender to this heah sheriff? I am 'cused uv killin' a white preacher."
"I can do nothing unless called upon by the sheriff of your county," said the Governor, and put up the telephone receiver.
The Seabright residence had 'long distance' telephone connections and Gus called up the White House at Washington. He stated his case and the secretary to the President replied:
"We are powerless to act. The most that we can at present do is to create a healthy public sentiment against lynching."
"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Gus through the telephone. "Is that all you can say to a man that risked his life fur your flag?"
Gus now called up the British legation to sound it on the question of proposing intervention on the part of the leading nations of the world. He was told that the problem was a domestic one and that foreign countries could not intervene. Gus returned to his trumpet and said,