Summary

Chapter 31 is titled, "Last Stand." After two hours, the militia outside the armory realized they'd been tricked into allowing more insurrectionists and hostages to enter the armory without any trade coming. When they demanded to know about the colonel and how many hostages would be released, Brown responded that none will. Two hundred militia marched into the yard and opened fire on the engine house. Brown's army held fast despite the building being blown part around them, and kept firing. They drove the militia back outside the gate. The militia was disorganized, angry, and drunk. Some fled and more came to replace the dead. The militia attempted to enter the gate again and again was driven back. Many were killed. Any who entered the yard were shot at by Brown's men.

The mayor, who was trying to broker a truce, was...