In a
cringing tone he begged Polly to forgive him for bringing her to
such a place. He bewailed that they had risked pollution by
allowing any inhabitant of that region to set foot on the
raft--he feared for the innocent minds of their children, and he
implored her pardon. Perhaps it was better that they should cast
off at once--unless one of the gentlemen on shore felt himself
insulted, in which event he would remain to fight.
Then as he slowly worked the raft out toward the middle of the
stream, he repeated all his former remarks, punctuating them with
frequent whoops. He recapitulated the terms on which he could be
induced to fight-fifty cents, a drink of liquor, a chew of
tobacco, nothing! His shouts became fainter and fainter as the
raft was swept down-stream, and finally died away in the
distance.
CHAPTER XIII
THE JUDGE BREAKS JAIL
The sheriff had brought the judge's supper. He reported that the
crowd was dispersing, and that on the whole public sentiment was
not particularly hostile; indeed, he went so far as to say there
existed a strong undercurrent of satisfaction that the jail
should have so speedily justified itself. Moreover, there was a
disposition to exalt the judge as having furnished the crowning
touch to the day's pleasure.
"I reckon, sir, they'd have felt obliged to string you up if
there wa'n't no jail," continued the sheriff lazily from the open
door where he had seated himself. "I don't say there ain't them
who don't maintain you had ought to be strung up as it is, but
people are funny, sir; the majority talk like they might wish to
keep you here indefinite.
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