"But what are you going to do with that gun?"
"Nuthin', 'cept tote it back to the house."
"What did you bring it here for, then?"
"To scare that," and Abner motioned toward the surveyor.
Jess looked at the young man and detected an expression of amusement in his eyes, although his face remained perfectly grave.
"What did you want to scare him for, daddy?"
"'Cause he's trespassin', that's why. He wants to steal our place."
"Steal our place!" Jess repeated in astonishment.
"Yes, that's jist it. He wants it fer a bunch of government grafters, an' when I threatened to shoot him or brain him he up an' says that he wants to be killed. Now, what de ye make of that?"
A new light of animation now beamed in Jess' eyes, and she advanced a step toward the surveyor. Here was a case which demanded her immediate attention, and she felt much elated.