Here was really the beginning of the Kansas troubles.

My father, who had shed the first blood in the cause of the freedom of Kansas, was notified, upon his return to his trading post, to leave the territory, and he was threatened with death by hanging or shooting, if he dared to remain.
[Illustration: MY FATHER'S ESCAPE] One night a body of armed men, mounted on horses, rode up to our house and surrounded it.

Knowing what they had come for, and seeing that there would be but little chance for him in an encounter with them, father determined to make his escape by a little stratagem.

Hastily disguising himself in mother's bonnet and shawl, he boldly walked out of the house and proceeded towards the corn-field.

The darkness proved a great protection, as the horsemen, between whom he passed, were unable to detect him in his disguise; supposing him to be a woman, they neither halted him nor followed him, and he passed safely on into the corn-field, where he concealed himself.
The horsemen soon dismounted and inquired for father; mother very truthfully told them that he was away.