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Updated: June 18, 2025
I deemed it prudent, therefore, to keep out of sight to some extent, though I did not put myself out much about it. Squire Fishley did not come on the second day after our arrival, to my very great disappointment, for I began to fear that I should be snapped up by some greedy constable.
Fishley staggered till she saved herself by taking hold of a chair. She gathered herself up, and her eyes flashed fire. "You rascal, you! What do you mean?" gasped she; and at the same instant she rushed towards Flora, who was trembling with terror in her chair. "Stop a minute, Mrs. Fishley," I added. "You rascal, you!" repeated she, looking first at me, and then at Flora.
She was helpless and dependent, and that which shut her out from the rest of the world endeared her to me, and wound her in with every fibre and tendril of my heart. Mrs. Fishley did not immediately return; neither did her husband appear upon the battle-field; and I concluded that she could not find him.
"Yes, sir, that was the amount I gave him," replied Squire Fishley; but I saw that he looked troubled. "You gave him between forty and fifty dollars the first time?" "Forty-six dollars, I think, was the exact amount." "Could this have been the money which Ham Fishley saw the defendant counting in the hay-loft?" "I have no doubt it was, as I fix the time from the testimony of the witnesses."
Captain Fishley seemed to be stunned by the result; and Mrs. Fishley, who came in after the examination commenced, "wanted to know!" Ham was confounded; and as he was moving out of the office, the post-office agent placed a heavy hand upon his shoulder. My junior tyrant looked ghastly pale when he was conducted back to the magistrate's table. His guilty soul was withering in his bosom.
Besides, the demeanor of this man towards me was so considerate after I told my story, that I was confident he had his doubts in regard to my guilt. Captain Fishley drove up to the door of the store, and I was told to get out. I obeyed, and went into the store. There I saw Ham Fishley. I fancied that he looked pale, and that his lip quivered when he saw me.
"I don't believe in drinkin' liquor when a body's well; but when they're wet through, and shiverin' with cold as you are, Moses, it is good for 'em only as a medicine, you know." But not even as a medicine could Squire Fishley be induced to partake of any of the fire-water. He had drank corn whiskey enough for one day; and I think at that moment he loathed the thought of drinking it.
My sudden departure could not have failed to confirm the suspicions of Captain Fishley, and probably Ham had made the best use of the circumstances. The next day we went on board of a fine steamer bound to St. Louis. State-rooms had been engaged for the whole party, and I should be glad to tell the story of the journey if space would permit.
"Nobody's going to abuse her," snapped the shrew. "I've got another account to settle with you, Buck Bradford," continued Captain Fishley. "Did Ham tell you to black his boots?" "He did." "And you told him you wouldn't?" "I told him so." "What do you mean, you rascal?" "I only meant that I wouldn't do it. That's all I meant." "I should like to know what we're coming to!" ejaculated Mrs. Fishley.
I gently placed her in the chair again, and released myself from her clinging embrace; for I realized that, in the brief moment left to me, it was necessary to prepare for war. I knew the temper of Captain Fishley; and, though he had never yet struck me, I believed that it was only because I had been all submission. I was fully resolved to defend myself, and especially to defend Flora.
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