ook like murder, Bill. But look how he had drawn
his sight between my eyes and abused me for everything he could think
of. And whenever I see him now, there he sits on his horse, with one eye
half shut and the other one looking down the barrel of his revolver at
me. I can see his lips moving and can hear every word he says."

I went home that day earlier than usual, resolved to keep the old people
in the atmosphere of encouragement which the deputy sheriff had breathed
about them, and I told them that the presiding judge was our friend, and
that old woman put her worn hands in mine and gave me a look of trustful
gratitude. "God rewards the man that seeks to ease an old mother's
heart," she said; and the old man, standing there, with his sleeves
rolled up, threw the droop out of his shoulders, the droop that had
remained with him since that early morning when he stood at the gate of
his "stockade," fumbling with the chain. "And, Susan," he spoke up, "if
we've got two judges on our side we're all right. Let him set down
there, now. Let him set down, I tell you. When a woman gets hold of a
man she never knows when to turn him loose. I'm tempted now to go and
see him. No," he added, shaking his head, "can't do it--couldn't bear to
see a son of mine locked up like a thief. But it won't be for long. That
judge will say, 'turn that boy loose,' and then--oh, it's all right,
Susan, and a year from now we'll almost forget that it ever took place."

His wife began to cry, for in this trouble her heart demanded that he
should lean upon her for support, and it appeared to me that whenever he
straightened up to stand alone, she felt that her office was gone.

"Susan, don't take on that way. Jest as we see our way clear of the
woods, you act like you are lost. Smile, till you find the path, and
then you want to cry. Act like you want the Lord to do it all--don't
want the circuit jedge to do nothin'. That's it, brighten up there now,
and, Guinea, you go out and tell that nigger woman to cook enough for a
dozen folks. Hawes, I've got them chickens down to a p'int that would
make your eyes bulge out."

"I believe that Bob came very near making one of yours bulge out," I
replied.

"Ah, didn't he, the old scoundrel. But Sam pecked a grain of corn out of
my mouth this mornin' and never teched a tooth. That's what they call
art, ain't it? Come out with me."

"Limuel, let him stay with me, won't you?" his wife pleaded.

"Of course, Sus