Besides, the prisoners generally were beginning to understand and approve of the Regulators' movement, and were disposed to give all the assistance needed.
Myself and "Egypt," my taciturn Lieutenant of the sinewy left arm, were sent with our company to arrest Pete Donnelly, a notorious character, and leader of, a bad crowd.

He was more "knocker" than Raider, however.
He was an old Pemberton building acquaintance, and as we marched up to where he was standing at the head of his gathering clan, he recognized me and said: "Hello, Illinoy," (the name by which I was generally known in prison) "what do you want here ?" I replied, "Pete, Key has sent me for you.

I want you to go to headquarters." "What the -- -- does Key want with me ?" "I don't know, I'm sure; he only said to bring you." "But I haven't had anything to do with them other snoozers you have been a-having trouble with." "I don't know anything about that; you can talk to Key as to that.
I only know that we are sent for you." "Well, you don't think you can take me unless I choose to go?
You haint got anybody in that crowd big enough to make it worth while for him to waste his time trying it." I replied diffidently that one never knew what--he could do till he tried; that while none of us were very big, we were as willing a lot of little fellows as he ever saw, and if it were all the same to him, we would undertake to waste a little time getting him to headquarters.
The conversation seemed unnecessarily long to "Egypt," who stood by my side; about a half step in advance.

Pete was becoming angrier and more defiant every minute.

His followers were crowding up to us, club in hand.