LII
But, of course, it wasn't long before this little company became
serious again. Carpenter told Franklin that he ought not stay here;
he, Carpenter, was too conspicuous a figure, the authorities were
certain to be watching him. Korwsky backed him up. There were sure
to be spies here! They would never leave such a man unwatched. They
would set to work to get something on him, and if they couldn't get
it they would make it. When Carpenter asked what he meant, he
explained, "Dey'll plant dynamite in de place vere you are, or
dey'll fake up some letters to show you been plannin' violence."
"And do people believe such things?" asked Carpenter.
"Believe dem?" cried Korwsky. "If dey see it in de papers, dey
believe it--sure dey do!"
The prophet answered, "Let a man live so that the world will believe
him and not his enemies." Then he added a startling remark. "There
is one among us who will betray me."
Of course, they all looked at one another in consternation. They
were deeply distressed, and each tried in turn--"Comrade," or
"Brother," or "Fellow-worker," or whatever term they used--"is it
I?" Presently the sturdy looking fellow named Hamby, who called
himself a pacifist, asked, "Is it I?" And Carpenter answered,
quietly, "You have said it."
Then, of course, some of the others started up; they wanted to throw
him out, but Carpenter bade them sit down again, saying, "Let things
take their course; for the powers of this world will perish more
quickly if they are permitted to kill themselves."
Apparently he saw no reason why this episode should be permitted to
interfere with the festivities. Mary Magna came in laughing, bearing
the strawberry short-cake, and set it on the table and proceeded to
portion it out. When it was served, Carpenter said, "I shall not be
with you much longer, my friends; but you will remember me when you
see this beautiful red fruit on top of a cake; and also you will
think of me and my message when you taste rich purple grape-juice
that has perhaps stayed a day or two too long in the bottle!"
Some of the company laughed, but others of them had tears in their
eyes; and I noticed that in the midst of the merriment the fellow
Hamby got up and slipped out of the room. Not long after that the
company began to disperse for various reasons. Karlin explained that
his old horse had been working all day, and had had no supper.
Colver was uneasy, not for himself, but for his friend, and I saw
him start every time the door was opened. Also, T-S was having some
night-scenes taken, and he and Mary were to see the work. Finally
Carpenter dismissed the Company, with the statement that he wished
to retire to Comrade Abell's private office to pray; and Abell and
his friend Lynch and the young Mexican said they would watch and
wait for him. The rest of us took our departure, not without
misgivings and sorrow in our hearts.
