Of course there was a good deal of excitement over this matter, and all the male inhabitants collected to talk about it.  The discussion extended to some similar cases of recent occurrence and soon gave rise to angry disputes.  In a very short time pistols and knives were produced, invitations to fight were given, and it seemed that blood would soon be shed.  By the interference, however, of some of the older and more influential citizens, quiet was restored, and no one was injured.  We were afterward told that there was hardly a man in the crowd who had not lost a father, brother, or near male relative by knife or pistol, either in a supposed fair fight or by foul means.

At that time the hatred of negroes from “free States” was intense, while those from “slave States” were treated kindly and regarded merely as persons of an inferior race.

Some time before our arrival, a steamer belonging to Pittsburg had stopped at Napoleon, and the colored steward went on shore to buy provisions.  While bargaining for them he became involved in a quarrel with a white man and struck him.  He was instantly seized, and would no doubt have paid for his temerity with his life if some one in the crowd had not exclaimed, “A live nigger’s worth twenty dead ones!  Let’s sell him!” This suggestion was adopted.  In a very short time the unfortunate steward was bound, mounted on a swift horse, and hurried away toward the interior of the State.  He was guarded by a party of mounted men, and in less than a week’s time he was working on a plantation as a slave for life, with no prospect of communicating with his relatives or friends.

One morning the captain of the steamer and I saw a crowd collect, and on approaching it we found a debate going on as to what should be done with a large and well-dressed colored man, evidently under the influence of liquor, who was seated on the ground with his arms and legs bound.  He had knocked one white man down and struck several others while they were attempting to secure him.  The crowd was undecided whether to give him a good whipping for his offence or to send for his master (who lived on the other side of the river, in Mississippi) and let him inflict the punishment.  Finally, the master was sent for.  He soon appeared, and stated that he had given his “boy” permission to come over to Napoleon, and had also given him money to buy some things he wanted.  He was “a good boy,” and had never been in trouble before, and if the citizens of Napoleon would forgive him this time he, the master, would guarantee that the boy should never visit Napoleon again.  The master also stated he would “stand drinks” for the whole crowd.  This gave general satisfaction.  The drinks were taken, and the master and his slave were enthusiastically escorted to their dug-out on the shore.  Much hand-shaking took place, in which the “boy” participated, and many invitations were given to both to visit Napoleon again; after which they rowed contentedly to their home.