In the first place, he had no legal right, under the circumstances, to go as close to murder as it might be for him to throw the rock at the rascal's head.

Moreover, Harry would hardly have exercised such a legal right, had he possessed it, without the strongest provocation.
From the black prowler came a sudden, fierce snort.

It sounded altogether like defiance.
"Ho---ho! You're finding your voice, are you, my man ?" Hazelton jeered.
"Then talk up in time to save yourself!" Instead the huge black man began to writhe forward.
"Stop that!" ordered Harry dangerously.

He did not retreat from the writhing human thing, but he took better aim, noting that the black man was hatless and that his head offered a fair mark.

"You're going to get hurt in just about a second more," he added.
Uttering another snort the bulky black sprang to his feet with surprising agility in one of his great size.
Harry now let his right hand fall back quickly.