James Redpath, The Public Life of Captain John Brown

My first object was to overtake the troops; the second, to pass them, and defeat their design. Of every one whom I met I inquired if; and where, they had seen the soldiery. Just at twilight I rode up a hill; and, on the opposite side of the brush, heard the noise of the tramp of horses. I rode through it, and found myself in camp. The dragoons were preparing to dismount and remain there for the night. There were two or three civilians of the ruffian-breed along with them, who, after eyeing me with fierce looks, went and spoke to the captain. He, like the majority of the army officers in Kansas, was an ultra pro-slavery man. He looked steadily at me, and I returned the stare; but, knowing his character, I did not salute him. Without speaking to any one, I rode out of camp. In five minutes, it was already dark; and I had not gone half a mile ere I heard two men riding up behind me. I stopped my horse at once; turned off the road; and, with my pistol ready for service, halted till they came up to me. They also were heavily armed; but their pistols were in their belts. I inquired of them the way to Prairie City; one, in giving directions, tried to ride outside of me. It was no time, I felt, for too tender a regard for the forms of etiquette; so I rode still farther out, slightly raising my pistol as I did so. We understood each other at once. I rode with them a little distance; and then, they having separated, I halted until both were out of sight. Prairie City, according to their directions, was to be reached by an