This was said in order to quell any suspicion or doubt that might have entered his head.
"Dat he is; but he'd better keep away from me, if he doesn't want his picter sp'iled," returned the negro.
"What were you abusing him for, a few minutes ago, when he brought your food?"
"Well, you see, he's afraid I's agwine to hurt him, and begun to beg off. It makes me so mad to see any feller afraid dat I let out on him, and he took himself off in a mighty big hurry."
"Have you lost much of your wool?"
"Two or free hands full; dat's all. 'Bout all growed in ag'in; but I ca'culate dat de next dat gits his hand in my head'll get it in a steel-trap. If I gits my grinder on 'im he'll see," said Zeb, with a meaning shake of his head.
"I guess that they will not trouble you further for the present," added Leland, with that air of assurance which one feels for the safety of another when his own case is free from danger.
"Don't know 'bout dat, but I'd like to have 'em try."
"Well, your wish is about to be gratified," said Leland, as he noticed a savage approaching him.
"Gorra, don't come here!" said Zeb, staring at him. The savage did not heed his warning, however, but continued to advance, and made a motion as if to strike him. The black man closed his eyes, bent his head toward him and drew his face in all manner of furious contortions. The savage, however, left him without provoking him further.