We know that it wasn't so, Wingfield; but ninety-nine out of every hundred white men in the South would rather believe that a negro had chattered than that a Confederate officer had been guilty of a gross act of treachery and ingratitude." Vincent was silent.

He felt that what his companion said was the truth; and that a weapon by which he had hoped to force the elder Jackson into saying what he had done with Dinah would probably fail in its purpose.
The old man was too astute not to perceive that there was no real proof against his son, and would therefore be unlikely at once to admit that he had committed a serious crime and to forego his revenge.
"I will try, at any rate," he said at last; "and if he refuses I will publish the story in the papers.

When the fellow gets back from Yankee-land he may either call me out or demand a court of inquiry.

I may not succeed in getting a verdict from twelve white men, but I think I can convince everyone of our own class that the fellow did it; and when this battle that is expected is over I have got three months' leave, and I will move heaven and earth to find the woman; and if I do, Jackson will either have to bolt or to stand a trial, with the prospect of ten years' imprisonment if he is convicted.

In either case we are not likely to have his son about here again; and if he did venture back and brought an action against me, his chance of getting damages would be a small one." Another half-hour's ride brought them to the Cedars.