"What do you mean by Abolitionists, Buck?"
"Such fellers as Lyon, Cosgrove, Belthorpe."
"They are all slaveholders."
"They're all Lincolnites, and gave arms to their niggers to shoot down white Kaintuckians last night," replied Buck bitterly.
"Only when a mob of ruffians came down upon them to burn their property and carry off their daughters!" added Levi. "They are Union men, and they will stand by the old flag as long as there is anything left of them."
"The Union's busted!"
"Not much! Why don't you enlist in the Confederate army, and carry out your principles? You are a cowardly ruffian, Buck!"
"We can do more good to the cause by stoppin' here, Bedford; and when I git command of that Home Guard, as I shall afore long, I'll clean out the Abolitionists in less'n a week," said Buck boastfully.
"If you live long enough," suggested Levi.
"If I don't I'm willin' to be a martyr to the good cause!" protested the reprobate.