He again said, “I am the United States Marshal.”
I told him I did not care for him nor the United States. At that he turned and went down stairs.
Pinckney said, as he turned to go down,—“Where is the use in fighting? They will take us.”
Kline heard him, and said, “Yes, give up, for we can and will take you anyhow.”
I told them all not to be afraid, nor to give up to any slaveholder, but to fight until death.
“Yes,” said Kline, “I have heard many a negro talk as big as you, and then have taken him; and I’ll take you.”
“You have not taken me yet,” I replied; “and if you undertake it you will have your name recorded in history for this day’s work.”
Mr. Gorsuch then spoke, and said,—“Come, Mr. Kline, let’s go up stairs and take them. We can take them. Come, follow me. I’ll go up and get my property. What’s in the way? The law is in my favor, and the people are in my favor.”
At that he began to ascend the stair; but I said to him,—“See here, old man, you can come up, but you can’t go down again. Once up here, you are mine.”
Kline then said—“Stop, Mr. Gorsuch. I will read the warrant, and then, I think, they will give up.”