"I didn't say in the same place. I asked if he was layin' the same way."

"He hadn't moved a muscle. Laid jest as if he was dead."

It will be noticed that Captain Eri was adhering strictly to the
truth. Luckily, Perez seemed to be satisfied, for he asked no further
questions, but observed, "It's a good thing we've got a crowd to swear
how we found him. There's a heap of folks in this town would be sayin'
he set that fire if 'twa'n't for that."

"Some of 'em will be sayin' it anyhow," remarked Jerry.

"Some folks 'll say anything but their prayers," snapped Eri savagely.
"They won't say it while I'm around. And look here! if you hear anybody
sayin' it, you tell 'em it's a lie. If that don't keep 'em quiet, let me
know."

"Oh, all right. WE know he didn't set it. I was jest sayin'--"

"Well, don't say it."

"My, you're techy! Guess fires and colored folks don't agree with you.
What are we goin' to do now? If John don't die, and the Lord knows I
hope he won't, he's likely to be sick here a long spell. Who are we
goin' to git to take care of him? That's what I want to know. Somebody's
got to do it and we ain't fit. If Jerry 'd only give in and git married
now--"

But Captain Jerry's protest against matrimony was as obstinate as ever.