“By —–­, I ain’t a going with ye, and ye can’t take me, you ——­ ——­ ——­ "

This was “Egypt’s” cue.  His long left arm uncoupled like the loosening of the weight of a pile-driver.  It caught Mr. Donnelly under the chin, fairly lifted him from his feet, and dropped him on his back among his followers.  It seemed to me that the predominating expression in his face as he went, over was that of profound wonder as to where that blow could have come from, and why he did not see it in time to dodge or ward it off.

As Pete dropped, the rest of us stepped forward with our clubs, to engage his followers, while “Egypt” and one or two others tied his hands and otherwise secured him.  But his henchmen made no effort to rescue him, and we carried him over to headquarters without molestation.

The work of arresting increased in interest and excitement until it developed into the furore of a hunt, with thousands eagerly engaged in it.  The Raiders’ tents were torn down and pillaged.  Blankets, tent poles, and cooking utensils were carried off as spoils, and the ground was dug over for secreted property.  A large quantity of watches, chains, knives, rings, gold pens, etc., etc.—­the booty of many a raid—­was found, and helped to give impetus to the hunt.  Even the Rebel Quartermaster, with the characteristic keen scent of the Rebels for spoils, smelled from the outside the opportunity for gaining plunder, and came in with a squad of Rebels equipped with spades, to dig for buried treasures.  How successful he was I know not, as I took no part in any of the operations of that nature.

It was claimed that several skeletons of victims of the Raiders were found buried beneath the tent.  I cannot speak with any certainty as to this, though my impression is that at least one was found.

By evening Key had perhaps one hundred and twenty-five of the most noted Raiders in his hands.  Wirz had allowed him the use of the small stockade forming the entrance to the North Gate to confine them in.

The next thing was the judgment and punishment of the arrested ones.  For this purpose Key organized a court martial composed of thirteen Sergeants, chosen from the, latest arrivals of prisoners, that they might have no prejudice against the Raiders.  I believe that a man named Dick McCullough, belonging to the Third Missouri Cavalry, was the President of the Court.  The trial was carefully conducted, with all the formality of a legal procedure that the Court and those managing the matter could remember as applicable to the crimes with which the accused were charged.  Each of these confronted by the witnesses who testified against him, and allowed to cross-examine them to any extent he desired.  The defense was managed by one of their crowd, the foul-tongued Tombs shyster, Pete Bradley, of whom I have before spoken.  Such was the fear of the vengeance of the Raiders and their friends that many who had been badly abused dared not testify against them, dreading midnight assassination if they did.  Others would not go before the Court except at night.  But for all this there was no lack of evidence; there were thousands who had been robbed and maltreated, or who had seen these outrages committed on others, and the boldness of the leaders in their bight of power rendered their identification a matter of no difficulty whatever.