"But Uncle Bob says--" began Hannibal, who considered his Uncle
Bob's remarks on this point worth quoting.

"Never mind what yo' Uncle Bob said," interrupted Yancy hastily.

"Oh, Mr. Yancy, you are not going to surrender him--no matter
what the court says!" cried Betty. The expression on Yancy's
face was so grim and determined on the instant with the latent
fire that was in him flashing from his eyes that she added
quickly, "You know the law is for you as well as for Mr. Bladen!"

"I reckon I won't bother the law none," responded Yancy briefly.
"Me and my nevvy will go back to Scratch Hill and there won't be
no trouble so long as they leave us be. But them Fayetteville
folks want to keep away--" The fierce light slowly died out of
his eyes. "It'll be all right, ma'am, and it's mighty good and
kind of you fo' to feel the way you do. I'm obliged to you."

But Betty was by no means sure of the outcome Yancy seemed to
predict with such confidence. Unless Bladen abandoned his
purpose, which he was not likely to do, a tragedy was clearly
pending for Scratch Hill. She saw the boy left friendless, she
saw Yancy the victim of his own primitive conception of justice.
Therefore she said:

"I wonder you don't leave the Hill, Mr. Yancy. You could so
easily go where Mr. Bladen would never find you. Haven't you
thought of this?"

"That are a p'int," agreed Yancy slowly. "Might I ask what parts