and, as you all well know, these pretended friends to our faces were in
their hearts wishing and praying for the success of our enemies."

"Yes, that is true; and it was strange and hard to understand at the
time, as these same people could have gained nothing by the success of
the rebellion. They lived North, and would have been equally despised by
the rebels (if they had succeeded) as a part of the Yankee Nation."

"Doubtless that would have been so, but it was not particularly the love
that they had for the rebels or their cause, but their hatred for the
party in power. They had been in power so long, that being ousted by
the voice of the people made a number of the leaders who had lost in the
political contest feel a desire to see the people who had beaten them
lose in the contest against the rebellion. They had said so many bitter
things against Mr. Lincoln and prophesied war and final separation
between the slave and free States, that they were willing to see the
country destroyed in order to be considered among the people as wise
oracles and political prophets; so that they made it their interest
politically that the rebellion should succeed. Many people were
followers of these men in all the States North. Out of this feeling grew
and prospered the Knights of the Golden Circle, or Sons of Liberty."

"Well, gentlemen," said Dr. Adams, "I agree with all you have said; but
I am growing somewhat impatient to again hear Uncle Daniel."

All were again listeners, and Uncle Daniel proceeded:

"I was speaking of the alarming condition of the country and the dangers
that were menacing peaceful citizens, as well as their property. I
became very much alarmed for the safety of the two families left in my
charge. I sent a letter to Henry to come with his wife and make my house
his home for the present. He and Seraine came at once, and were willing
as well as happy in remaining with us for a while, Seraine feeling
satisfied that, as her parents were two such quiet people, no harm could
come to them. After the excitement and confusion created by the delight
in the household over their arrival subsided, Henry took me aside and
related his experience since leaving home.

"He said that he remained quietly in Detroit for some time at his wife's
home. Then he went to Windsor, and there learned that the people of the
Confederacy were very much disheartened, but were making a desperate
effort to harass the armies of the Union, wit