These men were reckless, and determined, unable to even grasp my point of view.

It might, under these circumstances, have been the part of wisdom to me to have sought some means of compromise, but I was young and hot, fiery blood swept through my veins.

The words of Kirby stung me with their breath of insult--his sneering, insolent offer to pay me to remain still.
"You must rank me as one of your own kind," I burst forth.

"Now you listen to a plain word from me.

If that was intended as an offer, I refuse it.