He was thinking of Mahaffy--Mahaffy, who had
said he was still a man to be reckoned with. For the comfort of
his own soul he was proving it.
"Do you know what a servile insurrection means?--you men who have
wives and daughters, have you thought of their fate? Of the
monstrous savagery to which they would be exposed? Do you
believe he could limit and control it? Look at him! Why, he has
never had a consideration outside of his own safety, and yet he
expects you to risk your necks to save his! He would have left
the state before the first blow was struck--his business was all
down river--but we are going to keep him here to answer for his
crimes! The law, as implacable as it is impartial, has put its
mark on him--the shadow in which he sits is the shadow of the
gallows!"
The judge paused, but the only sound in that expectant silence
was the heavy breathing of men. He drew his unwieldy form erect,
while his voice rumbled on, aggressive and threatening in its
every intonation.
"You are here to defend something that no longer exists. Your
organization is wrecked, your signals and passwords are known,
your secrets have become public property--I can even produce a
list of your members; there are none of you who do not stand in
imminent peril--yet understand, I have no wish to strike at those
who have been misled or coerced into joining Murrell's band!"
The judge's sodden old face glowed now with the magnanimity of
his sentiments.
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