The street outside headquarters soon filled with an orderly crowd
awaiting events. There was noticeable the same absence of excitement,
impatience, or tumult so characteristic of the popular gatherings of
that time, except perhaps when the meetings were conducted by the
partisans of Law and Order. After a long interval one of the Committee
members appeared at an upper window.
"It is not the intention of the Committee to be hasty," he announced.
"Nothing will be done today."
This statement was received in silence. At last someone asked:
"Where are Casey and Cora?"
"The Committee hold possession of the jail. All are safe," said the
Committee man.
With this simple statement the crowd was completely satisfied, and
dispersed quietly and at once.
Of the three thousand enrolled men, three hundred were retained under
arms at headquarters, a hundred surrounded the jail, and all the rest
were dismissed. Next day, Monday, headquarters still remained
inscrutable; but large patrols walked about the city, collecting arms.
The gunshops were picketed and their owners were warned under no
circumstances to sell weapons. Towards evening the weather grew colder
and rain came on. Even this did not discourage the crowd, which stood
about in its sodden clothes waiting.
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