The pro-slavery men, hearing of the approach of the Free State party, resolved to drive them out of the territory.  The two parties met at Hickory Point, where a severe battle was fought, several being killed; the victory resulted in favor of the Free State men, who passed on to Lawrence without much further opposition.  My father finally left them, and seeing that he could no longer live at home, went to Grasshopper Falls, thirty-five miles west of Leavenworth; there he began the erection of a saw-mill.

While he was thus engaged we learned from one of our hired workmen at home, that the pro-slavery men had laid another plan to kill him, and were on their way to Grasshopper Falls to carry out their intention.  Mother at once started me off on Prince to warn father of the coming danger.  When I had gone about seven miles I suddenly came upon a party of men, who were camped at the crossing of Stranger Creek.  As I passed along I heard one of them, who recognized me, say, “That’s the son of the old abolitionist we are after;” and the next moment I was commanded to halt.

[Illustration:  Life or death.]

Instead of stopping I instantly started my pony on a run, and on looking back I saw that I was being pursued by three or four of the party, who had mounted their horses, no doubt supposing that they could easily capture me.  It was very fortunate that I had heard the remark about my being “the son of the abolitionist,” for then I knew in an instant that they were en route to Grasshopper Falls to murder my father.  I at once saw the importance of my escaping and warning father in time.  It was a matter of life or death to him.  So I urged Prince to his utmost speed, feeling that upon him and myself depended a human life—­a life that was dearer to me than that of any other man in the world.  I led my pursuers a lively chase for four or five miles; finally, when they saw they could not catch me, they returned to their camp.  I kept straight on to Grasshopper Falls, arriving there in ample time to inform him of the approach of his old enemies.

That same night father and I rode to Lawrence, which had become the headquarters of the Free State men.  There he met Jim Lane and several other leading characters, who were then organizing what was known as the Lecompton Legislature.

Father was elected as a member of that body, and took an active part in organizing the first legislature of Kansas, under Governor Reeder, who, by the way, was a Free State man and a great friend of father’s.

About this time agents were being sent to the East to induce emigrants to locate in Kansas, and father was sent as one of these agents to Ohio.  After the legislature had been organized at Lawrence, he departed for Ohio and was absent several months.