Page:History of Gardner, Massachusetts (1860) - Glazier.djvu/69

Rh soldier, formerly a subaltern of his own particular regiment, to recover his levelled musket. The man, awed by the voice he had been accustomed to obey, instantly complied, and presented his piece, in military salute, to his old commander. The Court, having received the honors of war, from him who was planted to oppose their advance, went on. The multitude receding to the right and left, made way in sullen silence, till the judicial officers reached the Court House. On the steps was stationed a file of men with fixed bayonets: on the front, stood Capt. Wheeler with his drawn sword. The crier was directed to open the doors, and permitted to throw them back displaying a party of infantry with their guns levelled as if ready to fire. Judge Ward then advanced and the bayonets were turned against his breast. He demanded repeatedly, who commanded the people there; by what authority, and for what purpose they had met in hostile array. Wheeler at length replied; after disclaiming the rank of leader, he stated, that he had come to relieve the distresses of the country, by preventing the sittings of courts until they could obtain redress of grievances. The Chief Justice answered that he would satisfy them their complaints were without just foundation. He was told by Capt. Smith of Barre, that any communication he had to make must be reduced to writing. Judge Ward indignantly refused to do this: he said he "did not value their bayonets, they might plunge them to his heart; but while that heart beat he would do his duty: when opposed to it, his life was of little consequence: if they would take away their bayonets and give him some position where he could be heard by his fellow citizens, and not by the leaders alone, who had deceived and deluded them, he would speak, but not otherwise." The insurgent officers, fearful of the effect of his