COMMITTEE OE INVESTIGATION, ETC. 
205 
the voice of prudence, he took another route, without going to 
his house, and came to ours. 
The night was dark, and very wet, the rainy season having 
fairly set in. I had left fire and light burning, and had just gone 
up stairs. Hearing the door open softly, I went down again, and 
so perfect was the disguise of this familiar friend, that, without 
recognizing him, I said, “ Good-evening; ” and was only sure of 
his identity, though I took the extended hand, when he said, 
“ You don’t know me?” The life of this friend would not have 
been one moment safe had he fallen into the hands of the foe. 
They swore vengeance upon him hourly, and it was decided that, 
as his life was precious, not only to his family and friends, but to 
the free-state cause, he risked too much by remaining here, 
and he must leave. He had had several narrow escapes; at one 
time, driving near a house, and dismounting, while the enemy 
were in hot pursuit, he taking a footpath into a ravine close by, 
while a friend near put spurs to his horse, outstripped the enemy, 
and effectually misled them. 
The house of Mr. Speer had been repeatedly searched for him. 
Sam. Salters went again with some dragoons, a few days since, 
and entreated them that they would do the despicable work for 
him. They refused to do so, as it was beyond the province of 
their duties. So, striking around with a hammer, which he 
picked up, to show his valor, he at last declared, “ he would go 
in,” and, opening the door, was greeted by a dash of hot water in 
his face. 
Mrs. Speer then said, “ I have respect for the United States 
troops. You can search the house, but, as for this puke of a 
Missourian he shall not come in.” The troops enjoyed this un¬ 
ceremonious salutation, given by the Ohio lady to the brave 
official. 
Over at the Wakarusa, something like the following colloquy 
passed between the troops and Salters. They had approached a 
house where Salters was hoping to find one of the rescuers. Salters 
said to them, pointing to different localities, “ You stand at those 
points.” The design evidently was to intercept any one who 
might attempt to pass from the house. 
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