But then, you see, I make distinctions.

Ef I was to see a wolf a-goin' to eat a lamb, what would I do?
Why, I'd skeer or fool him with the very fust thing I could find.

Wouldn' you, honey ?" "In course," said Cynthy Ann.
"And so, when I seed a wolf or a tiger or a painter, like that air 'Umphreys, about to gobble up fortins, and to do some harm to Gus, maybe, I jest rigged up a skeercrow of words, like a ole hat and coat stuck onto a stick, and run him off.

Any harm done, my dear ?" "Well, no, Jonas; I ruther 'low not." Whether Jonas's defense was good or not, I can not say, for I do not know.

But he is entitled to the benefit of it..