They would come from there.

In imagination he saw them now.

He saw the bearded faces and the white jackets of the officers, the light on the levelled barrels of the rifles.

What is the bravery of the greatest warrior before the firearms in the hand of a slave?
He would walk toward them with a smiling face, with his hands held out in a sign of submission till he was very near them.

He would speak friendly words--come nearer yet--yet nearer--so near that they could touch him with their hands and stretch them out to make him a captive.