The thought suddenly occurred to me that, for some reason, he was more afraid of me than I of him.

And if I met him on the same ground he was of the disposition to give way first.
"You can see my authority, Coombs, any time you are ready to exhibit your own," I returned coolly, leaning back against the side of the cabin, and staring him straight in the eyes.

"I 've got more occasion to question you, you big brute, than you have me.

Who is going to prevent my walking about these grounds?
You?
Just try the experiment, and see how it comes out.

If you are the overseer here, then it is my money that is paying your wages, and from the look of things," and I swept my hand toward the surrounding weeds, "you 'll not hold the job long at that." Coombs did not cringe, but my tone brought him uneasiness.
"The niggers won't work," he returned gruffly.