The block-houses I beheld were evidences of preparedness against this danger.

And in that day the rumblings of the coming struggle over slavery could already be heard.

Kansas--very soon afterward "Bleeding Kansas"-- was destined to be an early battleground.

And we were soon to know something of its tragedies.
Free-soil men and pro-slavery men were then ready to rush across the border the minute it was opened for settlement.

Father was a Free-soil man.