I saw they had ropes and saplings, and I didn't want that, exactly, so I went into them.

I got a good many hoods off before it was over, and I can swear to quite a number besides those I told you." He named the men, slowly and carefully.

Then he went on: "I think they gave up the notion of whipping.

We all got into a bunch, and they couldn't clear to shoot without hitting some of their own: and there was a lot of gouging and kicking--one fellow nearly got my left eye, and I tried to tear him apart and he screamed so that I think he was hurt.
Once or twice I thought I might get away, but somebody hammered me over the head and face again, and I got dizzy; and then they all jumped away from me suddenly, and Bob Skillett stepped up--and--shot me.

He waited for a good flurry of lightning, and I was slow tumbling down.