But Hank, he only cussed.

He was obstinate, Hank was, and his pride and dander had riz up.

Finally he says: "You're taking a ornery, low-down advantage o' me, you are.

Let me out'n this here cistern and I'll show you who'll stick it out longest on dry land, dern your religious hides!" Some of the folks there hadn't had no suppers, so after all the other sinners but Hank had either got converted or else sneaked away, some of the women says why not make a kind of love feast out of it, and bring some vittles, like they does to church sociables.

Because it seems likely Satan is going to wrastle all night long, like he done with the angel Jacob, and they ought to be prepared.