President Jackson s Reminiscences 247 



fence'; and as their leader placed his foot on the first 

 step, I raised my arm and closed the box with a click, 

 very like the cocking of a pistol, it was so dark they 

 could not distinguish what I had in my hand, and, sir, 

 they scampered like a flock of deer. I knew there were 

 men in that crowd who were not afraid to meet me or 

 any other man; but, Mr. Van Buren, no man is willing 

 to take the chance of being killed by an accidental shot in 

 the dark." 



I am aware that Mr. Patton, in his "Life of General 

 Jackson," represents this tobacco box exploit as occurring 

 in the daytime, at a long dinner table on the race course, 

 Gen. Jackson on the top of the table, "striding tremen- 

 dous to the rescue of Patton Anderson, wading knee 

 deep in dinner." 



