marched to Toronto and seized the guns stored in the
city hall. There was no man to take the lead.
Mackenzie vapored and complained of others, formed
plans one hour to change the next, and demonstrated
the weakness of his shallow nature. Seeing this,
farmers sincerely desirous of a change in the rule
of the province, left for their homes, and the handful
left were routed without trouble. Hugh was among
those made prisoners and placed in Toronto jail.
His father was in great distress and implored me to
help to get him released. My stay in Toronto had
given a knowledge of its officials and I told him if
he was willing to pay it might be done. We went
to the home of the prosecutor for the crown.
The father told his tale and, in piteous terms, begged
the return of his son to his distracted mother.
Perceiving what he said had no effect, I took the
gentleman aside and told him the father might give
cash bail. ‘How much is he ready to deposit?’
was asked. I thought he had $25 in his pocket.
‘Not enough,’ he replied. ’The
lad can be indicted for treason which means hanging.’
’You cannot get evidence against him on that
charge. Say what you want?’ Turning to Brodie
he said if he would deposit ten pounds, and enter
into the proper recognizances he would give him an
order to the jailor for his son’s release.
Without a word of demur the father counted out $40
of his painfully gathered savings and the chancellor
scribbled the order. On reaching the prison the
jailor raised objections. It was now dark and
after hours and the lad had been boarded four days
and the fees of the constables who had arrested him
had to be paid. I cut him short by asking ‘How
much?’ The fellow eyed the father as if calculating
the extent of his ability to pay. ‘Two
pound ten,’ he said. ‘Nonsense,’
I replied, ’farmers have not that much money
to give away; say one pound ten and I will advance
it for him.’ He nodded and I passed the
money. Going upstairs he threw open a door, and
we saw in the hall, or rather corridor, a crowd of
men. They were silent with the exception of one
who was denouncing his being held as an outrage, for
he was as loyal as the governor himself. The
rest of them were enduring their condition in sullen
silence. Among them were industrious farmers who
had warrants issued against them because they had
been known to threaten officials in the land-office
for not getting patents for the lots they had paid
for, farmers arrested on informations lodged by men
who owed them, others by officials who expected to
share in their property when confiscated, and barroom
politicians who had expressed their opinions too freely
about those in power. A few, however, were thoughtless
young fellows who had been drawn to visit Montgomery’s
tavern from mere curiosity and love of excitement.
The room was lighted dimly by two lamps hung on the
walls; the heat was stifling, the odor sickening.
We looked among the throng for Hugh. His father
pulled my sleeve and pointed to a far corner, where