This we
intend to do. We intend to show his adulterous and lustful nature,
which has culminated in a dastardly deed and jeopardized his neck. We
intend to show that the truth is not in him; that he is a liar beyond
price; that no word he may speak upon the stand need be accepted by a
jury of his peers. We intend to show all this, and to weave it
together, thread by thread, till we have a rope long enough and strong
enough to hang him with before the day is done. So I respectfully
submit, Mr. Chairman, that the witness be allowed to proceed."
The chairman decided against Frona, and her appeal to the meeting was
voted down. Bill Brown nodded to Del to resume.
"As I was saying, he got us into no end of trouble. Now, I've been
mixed up with water all my life,--never can get away from it, it
seems,--and the more I'm mixed the less I know about it. St. Vincent
knew this, too, and him a clever hand at the paddle; yet he left me to
run the Box Canyon alone while he walked around. Result: I was turned
over, lost half the outfit and all the tobacco, and then he put the
blame on me besides. Right after that he got tangled up with the Lake
Le Barge Sticks, and both of us came near croaking."
"And why was that?" Bill Brown interjected.
"All along of a pretty squaw that looked too kindly at him. After we
got clear, I lectured him on women in general and squaws in particular,
and he promised to behave.
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