The preliminaries for the trial were arranged.  Taylor was indicted.  The younger brother being state’s evidence, had an encouraging prospect of acquittal.  Unfortunately, the colonel had taken a wrong position at the start.  He had been betrayed by those of the brotherhood who had the influence requisite for assistance.  The cheat had been carried so far by fair and continued promises, it was now too late to retrieve himself.  I felt deeply interested for him.  He was a noble specimen of mankind.  He possessed abilities worthy of a more honourable application.  He bore all his misfortunes with unexampled fortitude.  The night after his Wheeling and Pittsburgh associates had betrayed his confidence, he conversed with me for some time.  The main topic of his conversation was about certain men who resided in Lawrenceburgh and its vicinity.  He gave recitals of things which had been done by men living in and near that place, which cannot be contemplated without a feeling of horror.  I was actually shocked and chilled, especially as I knew the actors.  The whole seemed to me like some dreadful vision of the night, and I could hardly believe the evidence of my senses in favor of actual perpetration.  The colonel continued: 

“They fear me; they are seeking to crush me while professing the greatest friendship.”  He paused after adding, “to-morrow I will give you some advice which will be of everlasting benefit.  Be careful that you do not mention it.”

Having returned to my boarding-house, I was very closely interrogated by Mrs. B. and the aforesaid pettifogger, in reference to my absence.

“Where had I been all night, and what had detained me from my meals the day before?”

I told them, at which they eyed one another closely.  Mrs. B. observed—­

“I think the colonel must be hard run for assistance, to keep two or three constantly waiting on him.”

To this I made no reply, but ate my breakfast fast, and returned to the hospital.  I found Colonel Brown very restless.  During the day several men, from different cities and towns at a distance, called.  Three remained about two hours with him.  They were from Charleston, on the Kanawha river, Va.  After they retired, he lay in a doze for about an hour, when he was awakened by the arrival of four visitors, accompanied by his physician.  One made a stand at the door of the colonel, three came in, while the doctor, with the fourth, passed along the gallery, to see some other of the inmates.  I soon, learned that two of the three present were from Nashville, Tenn.; one a merchant, the other a negro trader.  When they began conversation, I stepped to the door.  They talked very rapidly.  One said his friend from Paris, Tenn., would be down in a few days with several others, from Clarksville.  The colonel listened to them with patience, and replied: 

“They had better come, and not disappoint me.”

These three left.  In a few minutes the physician, in company with the fourth, came to the door.  The doctor made a short stay, leaving the other man in the room with the colonel.