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The boy flashed a challenge about the group, which was noing

rein at Spicer South's yard fence His eyes were sullen, but he made no

answer

One of the men who had listened in silence now spoke: "In the fust place, Samson, we hain't a-sayin' ye done hit In the

nex' place, ef ye did do hit, we hain't a-blas don't lie, an', ef they trails in hyar, ye'll need

us Thet's e've done come"

The boy slipped down from his mule, and helped Lescott to dismount He

deliberately unloaded the saddlebags and kit, and laid them on the top

step of the stile, and, while he held his peace, neither denying nor

affir, his kinsmen sat their horses and waited

Even to Lescott, it was palpable that so

heir to clan leadership responsible for the shooting of Jesse Purvy,

and that others believed hieance But, regardless of divided opinion, all were

alike ready to stand at his back, and all alike awaited his final