Page:The rising son, or, The antecedents and advancement of the colored race (IA risingsonthe00browrich).pdf/41

 want these men to see the syringe, or to know of its existence. The woman at once lighted a tallow candle, handed it to 'Cap,' and pointed to a small room. The man led the way, set the light down, and left me alone. I now took out my case, adjusted the needle to the syringe, filled it with a solution of the acetate of morphia, put the little instrument into my vest pocket, and returned to the room.

"After waving my hands in the air, I said,—'Gentlemen, I want your aid; give it to me, and I'll perform a cure that you'll never forget. All of you look upon that man till I say, "Hold!" Look him right in the eye.' All eyes were immediately turned upon the invalid. Having already taken my stand at the foot of the bed, I took hold of the right leg near the calf, pinched up the skin, inserted the needle, withdrew it after discharging the contents, slipped the syringe into my pocket, and cried at the top of my voice, 'Hold!' The men now turned to me, alternately viewing me and the sick man. From the moment that the injection took place, the ravings began to cease, and in less than ten minutes he was in perfect ease. I continued to wave my hands, and to tell the devils 'to depart and leave this man in peace.' 'Cap' was the first to break the silence, and he did it in an emphatic manner, for he gazed steadily at me, then at the sick man, and exclaimed,—'Big thing! big thing, boys, d—d if it ain't!'