Part 57 (1/2)
”Absolutely. Captain 'John Smith' turns out to be Old John Brown of Osawatomie, Kansas, sir.”
”You're sure?”
”I couldn't be mistaken. I had him a prisoner on the plains once when our troops were ordered out to quell the disturbances.”
”That man's been here all summer planning this attack?”
”And not a soul knew him.”
Lee was silent a moment and spoke slowly:
”It can only mean a conspiracy of wide scope to drench the South in blood--”
”Of course.”
”He refuses to yield without a fight?”
Stuart laughed.
”He don't know how to surrender. I left him with two pistols and a bowie knife in his belt and a rifle in each hand.”
”How many men were with him?”
”I saw but six besides the prisoners he holds as hostages. The prisoners begged for an interview with you, sir. I told them to be quiet--that you knew what you were doing.”
”It's incredible!” Lee exclaimed.
He paused in deep thought and went on as if talking to himself.
”Strange old man--I must see him.”
”I wouldn't, Colonel. He's a tough customer.”
”I hate to order an a.s.sault on six men. He must be insane.”
”No more than you are, unless the pursuit of a fixed idea for a lifetime makes a man insane.”
Lee turned suddenly to his aide.
”Press that crowd back into the next street and ask him to come here under a flag of truce.”
”I warn you, Colonel,” Stuart protested. ”He violated a flag of truce in Kansas. He won't hesitate to shoot you on sight if he takes a notion.”
Lee smiled.
”He didn't try to shoot you on sight, did he?”
”No--”
”Go back and bring him here. I must find out some things from him if I can. He may not survive the a.s.sault.”