And Jim grew more and more threatening as the time of Westcott's pre-emption drew near.

While throwing the mail-bag off one day at the Metropolisville post-office he told Albert that he jest wished he knowed which mail Westcott's land-warrant would come in.

He wouldn't steal it, but plague ef he wouldn't heave it off into the Big Gun River, accidentally a purpose, ef he had to go to penitensh'ry fer it.
But after all his weary and impatient waiting on and badgering of Plausaby, Albert got his land-warrant, and hurried off to the land-office, made his pre-emption, gave Mr.Minorkey a mortgage with a waiver in it, borrowed two hundred dollars at three per cent a month and five after maturity, interest to be settled every six months.
Then, though it was Friday evening, he would have packed everything and hurried away the next morning; but his mother interposed her authority.
Katy couldn't be got ready.

What was the use of going to Red Owl to stay over Sunday?
There was no boat down Sunday, and they could just as well wait till Monday, and take the Tuesday boat, and so Albeit reluctantly consented to wait.
But he would not let Katy be out of his sight.

He was determined that in these last hours of her stay in the Territory, Smith Westcott should not have a moment's opportunity for conversation with her.