"Excuse my interfering, gentlemen, but this sort o' thing ain't down in my schedule.

I've let this gentleman," pointing to Captain Pinckney, "off for a minit to say 'good-by' to a lady, who I reckon has just ridden off in her buggy with her servant without saying by your leave, but I didn't calkelate to let him inter another business, which, like as not, may prevent me from delivering his body safe and sound into court.

You hear me!" As Clarence opened the gate he added, "I don't want ter spoil sport between gents, but it's got to come in after I've done my duty." "I'll meet you, sir, anywhere, and with what weapons you choose," said Pinckney, turning angrily upon Clarence, "as soon as this farce--for which you and your friends are responsible--is over." He was furious at the intimation that Mrs.Brant had escaped him.
A different thought was in the husband's mind.

"But what assurance have I that you are going on with the deputy ?" he said with purposely insulting deliberation.
"My word, sir," said Captain Pinckney sharply.
"And if that ain't enuff, there's mine!" said the deputy.

"For if this gentleman swerves to the right or left betwixt this and Santa Inez, I'll blow a hole through him myself.