Doubtless many a man signed that petition because he dared not refuse; for, although usually kind and quiet, few dared to face his anger.

When Lawrence was besieged, in May, a company of Free State men was raised around here, and they sent John Quiett to Lawrence to offer their services for the defense of the town, but were refused by Mr. Pomeroy.  Soon after the return of the South Carolinians from Lawrence they found Mr. Quiett in the Atchison postoffice.  They at once seized him as a Free State leader, and began to debate whether to shoot or hang him.  But one of the Pro-slavery merchants of Atchison interfered, and begged them to let him go.  He got out, mounted his horse, and started for home, twelve miles away.  But the Carolinians, like Pharaoh of old, repented that they had let him go, and soon started in pursuit.  It was a hot race, for as Mr. Quiett reached the top of each hill he could see his pursuers coming behind him.  But he reached home; and when they came to the creek near his home, they were afraid to pass through the woods—­probably fearing an ambush—­and returned to town.  But parties were sent out to take him when he was unprepared; and, finding that he was hunted, he was afraid to stay at home nights.  I have heard Mrs. Quiett say, that one day, when her husband had been away several days, he came home for a little while, and she gave him something to eat.  After eating he lay down to sleep on a lounge that stood along the front side of the bed.  She was rocking her baby in the middle of the cabin, when the Border Ruffians rode up to the house, and one of them, riding so close that his horse’s head was inside of the door, leaned forward and looked around the cabin.  The door was at the foot of the bed, and it so happened that the lounge on which Mr. Quiett lay was so close to the bed, and so low, that the edge of the bed just hid his body.  The Ruffian said not a word, but looked until he seemed satisfied that there was no one in the room but Mrs. Quiett, and then they both rode away.  She said that she could not speak, but felt as though she was frozen to her chair, for she was sure that, if they had seen Mr. Quiett, they would have shot him before her eyes.  Not until they were out of sight did she speak or stir.

Mr. Quiett and Mr. Ross went with father to Topeka, when the Free State Legislature and Convention met, July 4, 1856, of which father speaks in chapter XVI.  Mr. Quiett says that the Free State men went there determined to defend the Legislature.  There were several large companies of well-armed men stationed near, awaiting orders from the Convention; and one company armed with Sharp’s rifles lay behind a board fence by the side of the road.  Several speakers made excited speeches, urging the members of the Convention to be men, and defend their lawful rights, even at the risk of their lives.  The Free State men were wrought up to the verge of desperation.  The vote was about to be taken, whether or not to