Naturally these people had to get the provisions off their minds before there was any talk, but then the preacher reared up to address the meeting.
"Brethren——" says he.
"Look a-here," the new segundo, Black Stanley, started in obstreperous, backed by a dozen men, all seething. "I represents this outfit in starting to buck right now!"
"Turn yo'self loose."
"We-all has come to an understanding that we ain't agoin' to fool around here any more. These is mean pastures, and we breaks for home."
"That's what's the matter!" A lot of robbers began to come to a crisis.
"Misteh Stanley, seh," says McCalmont, "you air a judge of rye whisky, and a natural bawn leader of men."
The boys began to laugh.
"Now," says McCalmont, "all you boys who yearns to get quit of me, and have this judge of rye and natural bawn leader of men to be they'r chief, will arise and join his herd. Yo' hawsses are at the door, so trail yo' spurs along the floor and go!"
Not a man moved.