fully to sustain that gentleman's reputation; for while he was
notoriously slow to begin a fight, he was reputed to be even more
reluctant to leave off once he had become involved in one.

"What's all this here fuss between you and Bob Yancy?" demanded
the squire when he had administered the oath to Blount. Mr.
Blount's statement was brief and very much to the point. He had
been hired by Mr. Bladen, of Fayetteville, to go to Scratch Hill
and get the boy who had been temporarily placed in Yancy's
custody at the time of General Quintard's death.

"Stop just there!" cried the magistrate, leveling a pudgy finger
at Blount. "This here co't is already cognizant of certain facts
bearing on that p'int. The boy was left with Bob Yancy mainly
because nobody else would take him. Them's the facts. Now go
on!" he finished sternly.

"I only know what Bladen told me," said Blount sullenly.

"Well, I reckon Mr. Bladen ought to feel obliged to tell the
truth," said the squire.

"He done give me the order from the judge of the co't--I was to
show it to Bob Yancy--"

"Got that order?" demanded the squire sharply. With a smile,
damaged, but clearly a smile, Blount produced the order. Hmm
--app'inted guardeen of the boy--" the squire was presently heard
to murmur. The crowded room was very still now, and more than
one pair of eyes were turned pityingly in Yancy's direction.