"It's him," she answered, with a slight chuckle; "and he's as nice lookin' and soft spoken a chap as ever you see."
"An' what o' that?" sneered one of the sons. "His purty face ain't a goin' to save him."
"Maybe not, Abner; but I'm afeard they're too strong fur ye."
"How many?"
"Six, countin' the nigger, and one on 'em's Tom Johnson."
This announcement was received with a volley of oaths and curses, not loud but deep, Bill adding:
"He'll count two at least."
"The other two fellers'll have to come and lend a hand whether or no," said Abner gloomily. "Don't you let 'em off, dad. With them and Brannon we'll be seven. And if we come on 'em asleep, why, we'll not have such hard work, I take it."
"Time they were asleep now. How long since they went up there?"
There was an angry gleam in Bill's eyes as he turned them upon his wife.