Fred was his brother-in-law, Joe one of his most intimate friends.
“It means that he is angry. Didn’t you notice his face? I never saw him angry, though I’ve known him ever since I was a boy; but I’ve heard say he is awful when he rises. A common man would be no more in his hands now than a fly in the clutch of a lion.”
Ben went directly into Charlie’s pasture, avoiding him, hunted around there till he found the kicking cow, and pulling a rope from his pocket, put it over her horns, and led her in the direction of Colcord’s. Uncle Isaac was butchering a lamb at his door when Ben came along with the cow, and was just about to speak to him; but catching one glimpse of his face, he dropped his knife, and pretending not to see him, walked into the barn.
“Isaac,” cried his wife from the window. “Isaac, Ben has just gone by.”
“I saw him.”
“Saw him; then why didn’t you speak to him, and ask him to come in, and stop to dinner?”
“He’s got the cow Jim Colcord sold to Charlie. I guess he’s on his way to call the old viper to account for his trick. When he is in one of those rages you’d better go near a she catamount than him.”
“Will he murder him?”
“I hope not.”
“It is some ways there. Ben can’t hold his passion long, and will most likely get over it somewhat before he gets there.”