This effort, however, was futile; the desk was between them, and being by his sitting posture partially under it, Sumner was prevented from rising fully to his feet until he had by main strength, in his struggles, wrenched it from its fastenings on the floor.

In his attempt to follow Brooks they became turned, and from between the desks moved out into the main aisle.

By this time, through the repetition of the heavy blows and loss of blood, Sumner became unconscious.

Brooks, seizing him by the coat-collar, continued his murderous attack till Sumner, reeling in utter helplessness, sank upon the floor beside the desk nearest the aisle, one row nearer the center of the chamber than his own.

The witnesses variously estimated the number of blows given at from ten to thirty.