His men had never seen him so aroused, and they cowed before him.

"Men," said he, "this must not be done! He must not be killed by us!" His voice and manner produced an effect on the mob.

They paused, listened, fell back, and sullenly obeyed him, although there were still some murmurs of disappointed rage.

At length one man, probably thinking he spoke for the crowd, cried out: "This is cowardly on your part, Lincoln!" Lincoln only gazed with contempt on the men who would have murdered one unarmed Indian but who quailed before his single hand.

"If any man thinks I am a coward," said he, "let him test it." "Lincoln," was the reply, "you are larger and heavier than any of us." "That you can guard against," responded the captain.