That settled him.
"'What's all this erbout ?' Mr.Nuckles asked me.
"'He and his friend are from Missouri,' I says.

'They're lookin' for some runaway slaves an' they come here and pitched into us, and one got throwed ag'in' the barn an' the other clum to the roof.' "'I reckon he better stay thar till he gits a little o' God's grace in his soul,' says the minister.
"Then he says to the dog: 'Ponto, you keep 'im right thar.' "The dog appeared to understand what was expected of him.
"The minister got off his hoss and hitched him and took off his coat and put it on the ground.
"'What you goin' to do ?' I says.
"'Me ?' says the minister.

'I be goin' to rassle with Satan for the soul o' that 'ar man, an' if you keep watch I reckon you'll see 'at the ground'll be scratched up some 'fore I git through.' "He loosened his collar an' knelt on his coat and began to pray that the man's soul would see its wickedness and repent.

You could have heard him half a mile away.
"Mr.Traylor drove off with the damaged slaver settin' beside him and the saddle hoss hitched to the rear axle.

I see my chance an' before that prayer ended I had got the fugitives under some hay in my wagon and started off with them on my way to Livingston County.