Besides all these there were at the inn a group of small farmers, a party of boatmen from the James, the local schoolmaster and the parson, a Scotch merchant or two, and the usual idle that a tavern draws.

All were Republicans, and all knew their party's men.

Rand descended from the chaise amidst a buzz of recognition, and after supper came a demand that he should speak from the tavern porch to an increasing crowd.

He did not refuse.

To his iron frame the fatigue of the day was as naught, and there were men in the throng whom he was willing to move.