Page:The rising son, or, The antecedents and advancement of the colored race (IA risingsonthe00browrich).pdf/398

 here the whole company joined in a hearty laugh, which made the old building ring.

The intense heat drove us from the room. As we descended the steps and passed the guards, we remarked to one of them,—

"The women seem to be prepared for battle."

"Yes," he replied; "dem wimmens got de debil in 'em to-night, an' no mistake. Dey'll make dat a hot hell in dar fur somebody."

And here the guards broke forth into a hearty laugh, which was caught up and joined in by the women in the house, which showed very clearly that these blacks felt themselves masters of the situation.

As the mob made their last attempt to gain an entrance to the alley, one of their number, a man bloated with strong drink, and heaping oaths upon the "niggers," succeeded in getting through, and made his way to the "hot room," where, it is said, he suddenly disappeared. It was whispered that the washerwomen made soap-grease of his carcass.

The inhabitants of the "Arch" were not again disturbed.