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"If they treat me decently, I will do all they tell me, Flora," I replied; "but I will not be trodden upon." The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the wagon, and I went out, in order that I might not be "tackled" before my sister. Captain Fishley gave me an ugly look; but I knew he would not say anything before his brother, and he did not.
But the conference was interrupted by the coming of the family physician, who had been sent for to see Emily. She and her father left the room. Clarence went over the history of the robbery again; and the more he considered, the more dissatisfied he became with me. Dear Flora pleaded for a more gentle judgment, and told him how ill Ham and Mrs. Fishley treated me.
"Yes; I'll give you a glass of corn whiskey, mixed with hot water," added the captain, taking up the suggestion. "No, I think I won't take any," replied the squire, shaking his head. "Hadn't you better?" persisted Mrs. Fishley. "It'll do you a heap of good." "Not to-night, thank you!"
I ate a hearty supper, and then went into the store for the mail-bag, which was to be carried down to Riverport. "Are you going after the mail, Buck?" asked Captain Fishley, in an ugly, taunting tone, which assured me that he had not recovered from the shock. "Yes, sir." "O, you are!
"Buck Bradford, drop that poker!" "I will not." "You won't?" "Not till I think it is safe to do so." "Do you think I'm going to be threatened with a poker in my own house?" "I won't threaten you if you'll let me alone. I've said all I have to say." I know very well that Captain Fishley had not pluck enough to touch me while I had the poker in my hand; and I was fully satisfied that Mrs.
"Scolding her!" almost whistled Mrs. Fishley, so high was the key. "I never scold at any one. I never was a scolding woman." "Gracious!" I exclaimed, mentally. "When things don't suit me, I'm apt to say so; but I never scold," whined the shrew. "Whatever people may say of me, they can't call me a scolding woman." Was it possible she thought so! "I don't want to make any trouble, Mrs.
"What have you done with the money you stole from the letter?" he demanded, gruffly. "I didn't steal any money from the letter. You will have to ask Ham Fishley what has become of that money." "He seems to be dressed better than he was. I suppose he laid it out for fine clothes," added the constable. "Do you persist in saying that Ham Fishley robbed the mail?" said the captain, angrily.
I was rather pleased to have his company home on the lonely ride from Riverport, and I confess that I was somewhat proud of making the acquaintance of the distinguished gentleman. "Don't be in a hurry, Buck," said Ham Fishley, as I picked up the mail-bag. I stopped and looked at him, for his tones were more conciliatory than I had heard him use within my remembrance.
Captain Fishley and his wife would not return before nine o'clock, and I had nearly three hours to convey Flora and her effects to the raft. There were no windows in the rear of the store, and I was not in much danger of being seen by Ham. I went to the barn to procure the wheelbarrow, and a little wagon I had made for Flora, in which I intended to draw her to the swamp.
Though my thoughts were not on my work, I busied myself in sweeping out the horse's stall, and making his bed for the night. "Buck! Buck! Buck!" called Mrs. Fishley, from the back door of the house. She always called three times; for she was a little, snappy, snarling woman, who never spoke pleasantly to any one, except when she had company, or went to the sewing circle. "Here, marm!" I replied.
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