288 
KANSAS, 
lowing had also arrived there, and entered into the examination. 
Mr. W. was then informed that if he went on to Prairie city, he 
must do so on foot, as he had orders to take the horse back to 
Westport. Mr. W. was unable to walk so far, and concluded to 
go back and make another trial. On retracing his steps, he was 
taken into a camp of the highwaymen, and marched about at the 
option of the vile men. He was surprised to find there, also in 
bonds, two Virginians who had made the passage of the Missouri 
at the same time with himself. They had promised to travel with 
him, to be a mutual protection, but by some means they had lost 
sight of each other. And they, not willing to go all lengths of 
robbing and shooting, in their defence of slavery, had fallen under 
the surveillance of these brutes in form of men. 
Reports of five men hanging on the trees between Westport and 
Palmyra came in at Kansas city. One of the pro-slavery pro¬ 
prietors of the house had his information so direct that he said 
“he had no doubt it was true.” 
Some free-state families were leaving, but they were mostly 
those who had but recently come into the territory, and had not 
established themselves, and become a part of the great question 
of slavery and freedom. Timid men turned back when their feet 
had hardly pressed the rich soil of Kansas; but the old settlers, 
undaunted by past disasters and present confusion, stood firmly 
upon their rights. Having put their “ hands to the plough, they 
would not look back.” In some regions, where husbands and 
brothers were in arms to protect some other settlement, or to 
drive out marauders, delicately reared and intelligent New Eng¬ 
land women were busy in the fields. Their horses and oxen stolen 
they were at work earnestly to get in the crops. Two beautifu 
and accomplished girls, thus at work, said to a friend of mine, 
“ Those who would think less of us for working in the field, may 
say what they please; we do not value their opinions.” 
Forbearance has been the motto of our people. No means have 
been left untried to arouse them against national authority, but, 
with the trusting, peace-loving spirit, which has no parallel in his¬ 
tory, they have cherished a faith , in the final righting of their 
wrongs, which indeed “ hopeth all things and endureth all things.” 
