Frank was inclined to resent the stranger’s words and manner.
“I don’t understand how that concerns you, sir,” he said, rather stiffly.
“Hey,” cried the man, glaring at Merry. “Don’t git insolent, youngster! I don’t like it.”
“Your question was impertinent.”
“Whatever is that? Be careful. I don’t want any foolin’.”
Frank smiled at this, which seemed to make the horseman angry.
“Hang ye!” he exclaimed. “You want to be respectful, for you’re liable to get into trouble with me, and you won’t like that.”
“Shoo fly!” chuckled Toots, showing his big white teeth in a grin. “G’way dar, man! Yo’ gibs me de fever an’ chillins.”
“Wa-al, dern me!” roared the man, growing very red in the face. “It’s the first time an ordinary nigger ever dared to speak to Bill Higgins that way.”
“Hole on, sar! I ain’t no ordumnary nigger, sar. I’s a cullud gemman ob ’stinction, sar, an’ po’ white trash cayarn’t talk to me lek dat—no, sar!”