Lincoln, the unknown

30Xhe instant that Booth fired at Lincoln, Major Rathbone,who was sitting in the box with the President, leaped up andgrabbed the assassin. But he couldn't hold him, for Boothslashed at him desperately with a bowie-knife, cutting deepgashes in the major's arm. Tearing himself from Major Rathbone'sgrasp, Booth sprang over the railing of the box andleaped to the stage floor, twelve feet below. But, as he jumped,he caught his spur in the folds of the flag that draped the President'sbox, fell awkwardly, and broke the small bone in his leftlegȦ spasm of pain shot through him. He did not wince or hesitate.He was acting now the supreme role of his career: this wasthe scene that was to make his name immortal.Quickly recovering himself, he brandished his dagger, shoutedthe motto of Virginia, Sic semper tyrannis— "Thus ever totyrants"— plunged across the stage, knifed a musician who accidentallygot in his way, floored an actress, darted out at theback door, jumped upon his waiting horse, raised the butt ofhis revolver and knocked down the boy, "Peanut John," whowas holding the animal, and spurred madly down the street, thesteel shoes from his little horse striking fire from the cobblestonesin the night.For two miles he raced on through the city, passing the Capitolgrounds. As the moon rose above the tree-tops he gallopedon to the Anacostia bridge. There Sergeant Cobb, the Unionsentry, dashed out with rifle and bayonet, demanding:221