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?