Summary

Chapter 27 is titled, "Escape." When Brown and the others returned to the farm, they found that Mrs. Huffmaster had reported them to the sheriff, who had come by with accusations that they were abolitionists. The sheriff had declared his intent to return with deputies to search the house.

Henry felt that things were beginning to unravel. Brown looked tired and worried. Some of the men had written their goodbyes to their families, and their mothers had written to Brown demanding he send their boys home to safety. Martha was pregnant and upset. Some white supporters had written letters demanding their money back. Rumors had reached the federal government, and many of their new weapons had proved to be poorly made. The men were restless. Brown decided they would attack the armory in four days, a full week before the planned date...