But may it not all come out right in the end? After the Dark Ages, day broke at last. We have the printing press railroad and telegraph—a revolution in human affairs We may do in years what it took ages to do in the past May not the Black man speedily emerge? Who knows? An appeal to the North will be a waste of breath. This experiment is going to be made. It is written in the book of Fate. But I like you. Come to see me again."
Dr. Cameron left with a heavy heart. He had grown a great hope in this long-wished-for appeal to Stoneman. It had come to his ears that the old man, who had dwelt as one dead in their village, was a power.
It was ten o'clock before the doctor walked slowly back to the hotel. As he passed the armory of the black militia, they were still drilling under the command of Gus. The windows were open, through which came the steady tramp of heavy feet and the cry of "Hep! Hep! Hep!" from the Captain's thick cracked lips. The full-dress officer's uniform, with its gold epaulets, yellow stripes, and glistening sword, only accentuated the coarse bestiality of Gus. His huge jaws seemed to hide completely the gold braid on his collar.
The doctor watched, with a shudder, his black bloated face covered with perspiration and the huge hand gripping his sword.
They suddenly halted in double ranks and Gus yelled:
"Odah, arms!"
The butts of their rifles crashed to the floor with precision, and they were allowed to break ranks for a brief rest.
