JIM. You _hear_ him say so? BOLLINGER. No, but the boys down Louisiana did; they knowed it was your pony, and they arrested him. SARBER. [_Again intruding._] Then they telegraphed you-- BOLLINGER. Hold on! [_Growl from_ MOB.] They didn't know he was the train-robber--only thought he was a hoss thief--so they held him while they telegraphed you--[JIM _nods. Pause._] That's the way we got on to him--the operator showed us the message--[_Pause._ JIM _nods._] Showed us your answer, too. [_Pause._ JIM _nods._] Here's a copy of it marked Exhibit B. "The man tells the truth. The pony is his'n.--Jim Radburn." SARBER. And we saw the original. JIM _nods_. BOLLINGER. [_His anger now lifting his tone into police court tirade._] While we were waiting up at the Court House where you told us to go--and I didn't have a durn thing but a butcher knife--you were a-standin' in with this feller and a-givin' him your boss to git away on. SARBER. [_In same manner._] And durn good reason--Sam Fowler stood in with him, an' he's a-goin' to marry your sister--in the house now--I kin see him at the kitchen window. [_All growl, and half start over the stile toward kitchen._ JIM. [_With sudden vehemence._] Hold on! [_Impressive pause; and quiet by_ CROWD.] You better talk it over with me first. BOLLINGER. Well, you give him the pony, didn't you? [JIM _is silent._] _Didn't_ you? JIM. What's that to you? BOLLINGER. [_Half laughing._] Well--what is it to us-- _All laugh derisively._ ESROM. [_Emboldened to participate._] I knew 'twasn't no clinker in de coke, 'cause he frowed de mud in it and-- BOLLINGER. Shoot that nigger. SARBER. Shut up! [_Smashes_ NIGGER _in the mouth._ BOLLINGER. [_To_ JIM.] Well, say--[_Pause._] That was a fine way for a sheriff to do,--wasn't it? JIM. I've resigned. BOLLINGER. I got your letter. You hadn't resigned last night; you know there's a law for you, Mr. Radburn. JIM. That's all right. BOLLINGER. _You'll_ have to "do time." JIM. [_Smiling._] When? BOLLINGER. This session--you git a taste of the jug this morning. JIM. Not this morning! BOLLINGER. Well, we'll see--you go with us. _Murmur and start._ JIM. [_Again in sudden warning._] Hold on, boys--[_Pause and recovery of calm._] I claim everything this side of the fence. Now I know it ain't sociable, but I don't want you to come in. Whenever the District Attorney gits his witnesses together, I'll be there, but I won't go this mornin'--[_Pause._] and anyhow I won't go with such a mangy lot of heelers as you've scraped up this trip. BOLLINGER. I reckon you will, Jim. _Murmur and movement._ JIM. Hold on--[_Pause, with both hands on guns._] I don't want to break my record, but I'll have to do it if you trespass on the lawn. BOLLINGER. [_Discreetly on stile. After a pause._] I hope you don't think we're scared, Jim? JIM. No--ain't anything to be scared about, Tom--as long as you stay outside.--Keep off the grass.