THE FARMEB'S WAR AGAINST MONOPOLIES. 141 



consultations among the victims, the lawyers were ap- 

 plied to, the affidavits were prepared, and it was decided 

 to repair on the following Monday to the so-called courts 

 of justice. 



" Nature, however, had not bestowed on Daniel Drew 

 the steady nerve and sturdy gambler's pride of either 

 Vanderbilt or of his old companions at Jersey City. His 

 mind wavered and hesitated between different courses 

 of action. His only care was for himself, his only 

 thought was of his own position. He Avas willing to be- 

 tray one party or the other, as the case might be. He 

 had given his affidavit to those who were to bring the 

 suit on the Monday, but he stood perfectly ready to 

 employ Sunday in betraying their counsels to the de- 

 fendants in the suit. A position more contemptible, a 

 state of mind more pitiable, can hardly be conceived. 

 After passing the night in this abject condition, on the 

 morning of Sunday he sought out Mr. Fisk for purposes 

 of self-humiliation and treachery.* He then partially 

 revealed the difficulties of his situation, only to have his 

 confidant prove to him how entirely he was caught, by 

 completing to him the revelation. He betrayed the 

 secrets of his new allies, and bemoaned his own hard 

 fate; he was thereupon comforted by Mr. Fisk with 

 the cheery remark that " he (Drew) was the last man 

 who ought to whine over any position in which he 

 placed himself in regard to Erie." The poor man begged 

 to see Mr. Gould, and would take no denial. Finally 

 Mr. Gould was brought in, and the scene was repeated 

 for his edification. The two must have been satiated 



* It ought perhaps to be stated that this portion of the narrative 

 has no stronger foundation than an affidavit of Mr. Fisk, which has 

 not, however, been publicly contradicted. 



