SHERIFF [savagely] Whats this noise? Cant you keep quiet there? Is this a Sheriff’s court or is it a saloon?
BLANCO. Dont interrupt a lady in the act of hanging a gentleman. Wheres your manners?
FEEMY. I’ll hang you, Blanco Posnet. I will. I wouldn’t for fifty dollars hadnt seen you this morning. I’ll teach you to be civil to me next time, for all I’m not good enough to kiss the Book.
BLANCO. Lord keep me wicked till I die! I’m game for anything while youre spitting dirt at me, Feemy.
RENEWED TUMULT AT THE DOOR. Here, whats this? Fire them out. Not me. Who are you that I should get out of your way? Oh, stow it. Well, she cant come in. What woman? What horse? Whats the good of shoving like that? Who says? No! you don’t say!
THE SHERIFF. Gentlemen of the Vigilance Committee: clear that doorway. Out with them in the name of the law.
STRAPPER [without] Hold hard, George. [At the door] Theyve got the horse. [He comes in, followed by Waggoner Jo, an elderly carter, who crosses the court to the jury side. Strapper pushes his way to the Sheriff and speaks privately to him].
THE BOYS. What! No! Got the horse! Sheriff’s horse? Who took it, then? Where? Get out. Yes it is, sure. I tell you it is. It’s the horse all right enough. Rot. Go and look. By Gum!
THE SHERIFF [to Strapper] You don’t say!
STRAPPER. It’s here, I tell you.