"Didn't he say nothing about this here order from the colt, Bob?"

"There wa'n't much conversation, Squire. I invited my nevvy to
light down, and then I snaked Dave Blount out over the wheel."

"Who struck the first blow?"

"He did. He struck at me with his buggy whip."

"What you got to say to this, Mr. Blount?" asked the squire.

"I say I showed him the order like I said," answered Blount
doggedly. Squire Balaam removed his spectacles and leaned back
in his chair.

"It's the opinion of this here co't that the whole question of
assault rests on whether Bob Yancy saw the order. Bob Yancy
swears he didn't see it, while Dave Blount swears he showed it to
him. If Bob Yancy didn't know of the existence of the order he
was clearly actin' on the idea that Blount was stealin' his
nevvy, and he done what any one would have done under the
circumstances. If, on the other hand, he knowed of this order
from the co't, he was not only guilty of assault, but he was
guilty of resistin' an officer of the co't." The squire paused
impressively. His audience drew a long breath. The impression
prevailed that the case was going against Yancy, and more than
one face was turned scowlingly on the fat little justice.

"Can a body drap a word here?" It was Uncle Sammy's thin voice