, to rush to the scene of riot on the tolling of the bells.
The Lancers, a powerful body of horsemen, were also in readiness. During
the day placards were posted at the corners of the streets, denouncing
the Abolitionists, and calling upon the citizens to rally at the chapel
in the evening, in order to put them down. An immense concourse of
people assembled, a large proportion doubtless from motives of
curiosity, and not a few of them with evil designs; but owing to the
strong military preparations, the multitude refrained entirely from any
overt acts of violence. They did not disperse till after 10 o'clock, and
during the evening shouted and yelled like a troop of wild savages. Some
ten or twelve were seized and carried to the watch-house, and this
morning fined for their disorderly conduct."

The frightful excesses of the Walpurgis period of the agitation reacted
through the free States to an extraordinary extent in favor of
Abolition. The greater the horror committed by the wild-cat-like spirit,
the greater the help which the reform derived therefrom. The destruction
of property, and the destruction of life instead of putting down the
hated Abolitionists aroused in the public mind apprehensions and
antagonisms in respect of mobs, which proved, immediately and
ultimately, of immense advantage to freedom. This revulsion on the part
of the North from lawless attempts to abolish Abolitionism, affected
almost unavoidably, and in the beginning of it almost unconsciously, the
friendly dispositions of that section toward slavery, the root and
mainspring of these attempts. Blows aimed at the agent were sure,
regardless of the actor's intention, to glance and strike the principal.
In spite of mobs then, and to a remarkable degree because of mobs,
Abolitionism had become a powerful motor in revolutionizing public
opinion in the free States on the subject of slavery.

CHAPTER XIV.

BROTHERLY LOVE FAILS, AND IDEAS ABOUND.

During those strenuous, unresting years, included between 1829 and 1836,
Garrison had leaned on his health as upon a strong staff. It sustained
him without a break through that period, great as was the strain to
which it was subjected. But early in the latter year the prop gave way,
and the pioneer was prostrated by a severe fit of sickness. It lasted
off and on for quite two years. His activity the first year was
seriously crippled, though at no time, owing to his indomitable will,
could he b