riginal.

JIM _nods_.

BOLLINGER. [_His anger now lifting his tone into police court
tirade._] While we were waiting up at the Court House where you told
us to go--and I didn't have a durn thing but a butcher knife--you were
a-standin' in with this feller and a-givin' him your boss to git away
on.

SARBER. [_In same manner._] And durn good reason--Sam Fowler stood in
with him, an' he's a-goin' to marry your sister--in the house now--I
kin see him at the kitchen window. [_All growl, and half start over
the stile toward kitchen._

JIM. [_With sudden vehemence._] Hold on! [_Impressive pause; and quiet
by_ CROWD.] You better talk it over with me first.

BOLLINGER. Well, you give him the pony, didn't you? [JIM _is silent._]
_Didn't_ you?

JIM. What's that to you?

BOLLINGER. [_Half laughing._] Well--what is it to us--

_All laugh derisively._

ESROM. [_Emboldened to participate._] I knew 'twasn't no clinker in de
coke, 'cause he frowed de mud in it and--

BOLLINGER. Shoot that nigger.

SARBER. Shut up! [_Smashes_ NIGGER _in the mouth._

BOLLINGER. [_To_ JIM.] Well, say--[_Pause._] That was a fine way for a
sheriff to do,--wasn't it?

JIM. I've resigned.

BOLLINGER. I got your letter. You hadn't resigned last night; you know
there's a law for you, Mr. Radburn.

JIM. That's all right.

BOLLINGER. _You'll_ have to "do time."

JIM. [_Smiling._] When?

BOLLINGER. This session--you git a taste of the jug this morning.

JIM. Not this morning!

BOLLINGER. Well, we'll see--you go with us.

_Murmur and start._

JIM. [_Again in sudden warning._] Hold on, boys--[_Pause and recovery
of calm._] I claim everything this side of the fence. Now I know it
ain't sociable, but I don't want you to come in. Whenever the District
Attorney gits his witnesses together, I'll be there, but I won't go
this mornin'--[_Pause._] and anyhow I won't go with such a mangy lot
of heelers as you've scraped up this trip.

BOLLINGER. I reckon you will, Jim.

_Murmur and movement._

JIM. Hold on--[_Pause, with both hands on guns._] I don't want to
break my record, but I'll have to do it if you trespass on the lawn.

BOLLINGER. [_Discreetly on stile. After a pause._] I hope you don't
think we're scared, Jim?

JIM. No--ain't anything to be scared about, Tom--as long as you stay
outside.--Keep off the grass.

BOLLINGER. [_His irritation returning. Threateningly._] And don't you
dare to draw a gun on any of us. Say, Sarber--go do