"Well, you see they're the wrong ones; not the ones he thought he was goin' to get. Rodney is secession the very wust kind."
"Of course he is; and Graham is State rights, which is the next thing to a rebel. Well, what of it?"
"Rodney is the wrong one, I tell ye. We-uns wanted the other Gray boy—the Union feller."
"What would you have done to him if you had got hold of him?"
"We-uns kalkerlated to lick him good an' send him outen the kentry with a striped jacket."
Caleb did not hesitate to acknowledge this. He had heard it said that there were some wild secessionists in the school, and taking his cue from the Barrington people, who thought it right to destroy the property of Union men, he believed that the students who were in favor of the Confederacy would be willing to take summary vengeance upon those of their number who were foolish enough to stand up for the old flag. But he thought it would be wise to make sure of that point before he went any further.
"You're Jeff Davis men, I reckon, aint ye?" said he "We are for the South every day in the week," replied Dixon. "When the Stars and Stripes are pulled down and the Stars and Bars run up in their place, I'll holler as loud as the next fellow. You may speak freely."
Caleb might have had some doubts on that point if he could have seen the flashing eyes and clenched fists there were on the other side of the fence. But Dixon spoke so calmly, in spite of the towering rage he was in, that the man's suspicions were not aroused.
"You calculated to whip Rodney and drive him out of the country; but when you learned that he was a good rebel, you thought you wouldn't do it," said Dixon. "Is that the way of it? Then what are you holding him for? Why don't you let him come home?"
"All the company was in for lettin' both of 'em go, 'ceptin' Bud. He wouldn't hear to it."