But the speech was followed by a more startling revulsion of sentiment as Mrs.McKinstry's voice rang out from the barn, "You lie, Seth Davis!" The brief advantage offered to the sheriff in Davis's advent as a neutral witness, was utterly lost by this unlooked-for revelation of Mrs.McKinstry's presence in the barn! The fates were clearly against him! A woman in the fight, and an old one at that! A white woman to be forcibly ejected! In the whole unwritten code of Southwestern chivalry there was no such precedent.
"Stand back," he said disgustedly to his followers, "stand back and let the d----d barn slide.

But you, Hiram McKinstry, I'll give YOU five minutes to shake yourself clear of your wife's petticoats and git!" His blood was up now--the quicker from his momentary weakness and the trick of which he thought himself a dupe.
Again the fatal signal seemed imminent, again it was delayed.

For Hiram McKinstry, with clanking spurs and rifle in hand stepped from behind the barn, full in the presence of his antagonists.
"Ez to my gitten in five minits," he began in his laziest, drowsiest manner, "we'll see when the time's up.

But jest now words hev passed betwixt my wife and Seth Davis.

Afore anythin' else goes on yer, he's got to take HIS back.