Part 58 (1/2)
”From here and elsewhere.”
”From blacks as well as whites?”
”From both.”
”You have been disappointed in not getting it from either?”
”Thus far--yes.”
Lee studied him with increasing wonder. There was a quiet daring in his att.i.tude, an utter disregard of the tragic forces that had closed in on his ill-fated venture that was astounding. What could be its secret?
It was something more than the coolness and poise of a brave Ulan. His manner was not cool. His mind was not poised.
There was a vibrant ring to his metallic voice which betrayed the profoundest emotion. His daring came from some mysterious source within.
It was a daring that was the contradiction of reason and experience. It was uncanny.
Lee asked his questions in measured tones.
”You were disappointed, I take it, particularly in the conduct of the blacks?”
”Yes.”
”Exactly. If negro Slavery in the South were to-day the beastly thing which you and Garrison have so long proclaimed, you could not have been disappointed. Had your illusion of abuse and cruelty been true the negroes _would_ have risen to a man, put their masters to death, and burned their homes. Yet, not a black man has lifted his hand. There must be something wrong in your facts--”
Brown lifted his head solemnly.
”There can be nothing wrong in my faith, Colonel Lee. It comes from G.o.d.”
”I didn't say your faith, my friend. I said your facts--” He paused and picked up the pike.
”These unused pikes bear witness to your error. This is an ugly weapon, Mr. Brown!”
”It was meant to kill.”
”We found it in the hands of a negro.”
”I wish to conceal nothing, sir--” The old man paused, lifted his stooped shoulders and drew a deep breath. ”I armed fifty blacks with them and I had many more which I hoped to use.”
Lee touched the point of the two-edged blade,
”This piece of iron, then, placed in the hands of a negro was meant for the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of Southern white men, women and children?”
”I came to proclaim your slaves free and give them the weapons to make good my orders.”
”Who gave you the authority to issue orders of life and death?” Lee asked with slow, steady emphasis.
Brown's eyes flashed.
”I gave it to myself, sir. By the authority of my conscience and what I believe to be right.”
”Suppose all took the same orders? Every man who differs with his neighbor, gets his gun, proclaims himself the mouthpiece of G.o.d and kills those who disagree with him. Civilization is built on an agreement not to do this thing. We have placed in the hands of the officer of the law the task of executing justice. The moment we dare as individuals to take this into our own hands, the world becomes a den of wild beasts--”