“Said he believed they took the watch and hid it; and that he hadn’t seen it himself, and knew nothing about it.”
“Was that at the trial?”
“Just before. He wasn’t in the house when we examined the Indians.”
“Well, he thinks everything of Pet,” said Randolph. “I guess he feels bad about her losing it, and that’s what ails him. Hulloa, see that crow on the fence just ahead there!”
“He’s gone, he’s gone! O what are those little birds fluttering round him?”
“Them’s king-birds,” said Ruel. “They can’t put up with crows, nohaow.”
“What, are they fighting him now?”
“Teeth an’ claws. Look at him dive, to git out o’ their way!”
“Do crows do any good, Ruel?”
“Wal, I d’no. I s’pose, when you come right daown to it, the creeturs ought ter be killed off. They do suck small bird’s eggs, an’ they’re a powerful nuisance in a cornfield. But thar, I do hate to shoot anything with wings on ’em, in these big woods.”