Johnson, who was greatly relieved and delighted, at once agreed to this proposal, and soon withdrew.  But the blunder he had made was evident enough.  With Coleman, who was completely outside the law, he, as an executive of the law, had no business treating or making agreements at all.  Furthermore, as executive of the State, he had no legal right to interfere with city affairs unless he were formally summoned by the authorities.  Up to now he had merely been notified by private citizens.  And to cap the whole sheaf of blunders, he had now in this private interview treated with rebels, and to their advantage.  For, as Coleman probably knew, the last agreement was all for the benefit of the Committee.  They gained the right to place a personal guard over the prisoners.  They gave in return practically only a promise to withdraw that guard before attacking the jail—­a procedure which was eminently practical if they cared anything for the safety of the guard.

Johnson was thoroughly pleased with himself until he reached the hotel where the leaders of the opposition were awaiting him.  Their keen legal minds saw at once the position in which he had placed himself.  After a hasty discussion, it was decided to claim that the Committee had waived all right of action, and that they had promised definitely to leave the case to the courts.  When this statement had been industriously circulated and Coleman had heard of it, he is said to have exclaimed: 

“The time has come.  After that, it is either ourselves or a mob.”

He proceeded at once to the Vigilance headquarters and summoned Olney, the appointed guardian of the jail.  Him he commanded to get together sixty of the best men possible.  A call was sent out for the companies to assemble.  They soon began to gather, coming some in rank as they had gathered in their headquarters outside, others singly and in groups.  Doorkeepers prevented all exit:  once a man was in, he was not permitted to go out.  Each leader received explicit directions as to what was to be done.  He was instructed as to precisely when he and his command were to start; from what given point; along exactly what route to proceed; and at just what time to arrive at a given point—­not a moment sooner or later.  The plan for concerted action was very carefully and skillfully worked out.  Olney’s sixty men were instructed to lay aside their muskets and, armed only with pistols, to make their way by different routes to the jail.

Sunday morning dawned fair and calm.  But as the day wore on, an air of unrest pervaded the city.  Rumors of impending action were already abroad.  The jail itself hummed like a hive.  Men came and went, busily running errands, and darting about through the open door.  Armed men were taking their places on the flat roof.  Meantime the populace gathered slowly.  At first there were only a score or so idling around the square; but little by little they increased in numbers.  Black forms began to appear