, and doubtless more than all,
the horrors of the plot. The city was to be fired in every
quarter, the arsenal in the immediate vicinity was to be broken
open, and the arms distributed to the insurgents, and an
universal massacre of the white inhabitants to take place. Nor
did there seem to be any doubt in the mind of the people that
such would actually have been the result, had not the plot
fortunately been detected before the time appointed for the
outbreak. It was believed, as a matter of course, that every
black in the city would join in the insurrection, and that, if
the original design had been attempted, and the city taken by
surprise, the negroes would have achieved a complete and easy
victory. Nor does it seem at all impossible that such might have
been or yet may be the case, if any well-arranged and resolute
rising should take place."[32]

This bold plot failed because a Negro named William Paul began to make
enlistments without authority. He revealed the secret to a household
servant, just the very man he should have left to the skilful
manipulations of Peter Poyas or Denmark Vesey. As an evidence of the
perfection of the plot it should be stated that after a month of
official investigation only fifteen out of the thousands had been
apprehended!

"The leaders of this attempt at insurrection died as bravely as they
had lived; and it is one of the marvels of the remarkable affair, that
none of this class divulged, any of their secrets to the court. The
men who did the talking were those who knew but little."

The effect was to reveal the evils of slavery, to stir men to thought,
and to hasten the day of freedom.

"Nat." Turner combined the lamb and lion. He was a Christian and a
_man_. He was conscious that he was a man and not a "thing";
therefore, driven by religious fanaticism, he undertook a difficult
and bloody task. Nathaniel Turner was born in Southampton County,
Virginia, October 2, 1800. His master was one Benjamin Turner, a very
wealthy and aristocratic man. He owned many slaves, and was a cruel
and exacting master. Young "Nat." was born of slave parents, and
carried to his grave many of the superstitions and traits of his
father and mother. The former was a preacher; the latter a "mother in
Israel." Both were unlettered, but, nevertheless, very pious people.
The mother began when Nat. was quite young to teach him that he was