Swiftly Through the Streets

     
    

     Much to our relief, the rioters did not return. The federal troops apparently were successful in their attempts to contain and stifle the insurgency, although the telegraph tapped continuously throughout the next two days. The station remained crowded to overflowing, and conditions were as best as we could hope for, under the unfortunate circumstances.

     Early on Thursday, we learned that we were to be taken by ferry to a place called Blackwell’s Island, where we would be sheltered until a permanent home could be found. That afternoon, surrounded by police, we were led out of the station house. We moved cautiously, yet swiftly, through the streets to a ferry landing to await a boat which would take us to the island.

     Those days and nights we spent sheltered at the police station were among the darkest and terrifying in my memory. How could I have known the terrors that awaited me?

[TO BE CONTINUED.]