[217] United States dragoons; called out four bodies of militia, consisting chiefly of invaders and pro-slavery settlers; the Missourians began to assemble on the borders; every thing gave promise of a renewed civil war; when, unexpectedly, the aspect of affairs changed by the recall of the troops by order of the Cabinet, and the successful attack, on a Missouri force, by a party of Free State men, led by Captain Snyder, the blacksmith, whose name is inseparably associated with the history of the massacre of the Marais-des-Cygnes. This cabin was the Headquarters of these ruffians. When they saw the Free State men coming they offered fight; a conflict ensued; they refused to surrender; the cabin was fired, and four of the murderers perished in its flames.
At this time John Brown and his men were at Bain's cabin, in Bourbon County, preparing for any emergency that might demand their aid. Two hundred Missourians had assembled at Fail's store, eight miles distant, in Missouri, for the purpose of invading the Territory; but, hearing that Old Brown was recruiting his forces to attack them, they withdrew fifteen miles farther from the borders.
While John Brown was stating his plan of following them, and, by invading Missouri and carrying off slaves, teaching the citizens of that State to attend to their own affairs, a negro man named Jim came over; and, stating that he and his family and a friend were about to be sold South, implored assistance and deliverance.
The poor that cried for deliverance from oppression never appealed in vain to the heart of John Brown,
