BLANCO. Yes, he will. It wasnt a man. ELDER DANIELS. Then what was it? BLANCO [pointing upward] Him. ELDER DANIELS. Oh what a way to utter His holy name! BLANCO. He done me out of it. He meant to pay off old scores by bringing me here. He means to win the deal and you cant stop Him. Well, He’s made a fool of me; but He cant frighten me. I’m not going to beg off. I'll fight off if I get a chance. I’ll lie off if they cant get a witness against me. But back down I never will, not if all the hosts of heaven come to snivel at me in white surplices and offer me my life in exchange for an umble and a contrite heart. ELDER DANIELS. Youre not in your right mind, Blanco. I'll tell em youre mad. I believe theyll let you off on that. [He makes for the door]. BLANCO [seizing him, with horror in his eyes] Dont go: dont leave me alone: do you hear? ELDER DANIELS. Has your conscience brought you to this that youre afraid to be left alone in broad daylight, like a child in the dark? BLANCO. I’m afraid of Him and His tricks. When I have you to raise the devil in me—when I have people to shew off before and keep me game, I’m all right; but Ive lost my nerve for being alone since this morning. It’s when youre alone that He takes His advantage. He might turn my head again. He might send people to me—not real people perhaps. [Shivering] By God, I dont believe that woman and the child were real. I dont. I never noticed them till they were at my elbow. ELDER DANIELS. What woman and what child? What are you talking about? Have you been drinking too hard? BLANCO. Never you mind. Youve got to stay with me: thats all; or else send someone else—someone rottener than yourself to keep the devil in me. Strapper Kemp will do. Or a few of those scratching devils of women. Strapper Kemp comes back. ELDER DANIELS [to Strapper] He’s gone off his head. STRAPPER. Foxing, more likely. [Going past Daniels and talking to Blanco nose to nose]. It’s no good: we hang madmen here; and a good job too! BLANCO. I feel safe with you, Strapper. Youre one of the rottenest. STRAPPER. You know youre done, and that you may as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb. So talk away. Ive got my witness; and I'll trouble you not to make a move towards her when she comes in to identify you. BLANCO [retreating in terror] A woman? She aint real: neither is the child. ELDER DANIELS. He’s raving about a woman and a child. I tell you he’s gone off his chump. STRAPPER [calling to those without] Shew the lady in there. Feemy Evans comes in. She is a young woman of 23 or 24, with impudent manners, battered good looks, and dirty-fine dress. ELDER DANIELS. Morning, Feemy. FEEMY. Morning, Elder. [She passes on and slips her arm familiarly through Strapper’s]. STRAPPER. Ever see him before, Feemy? FEEMY. Thats the little lot that was on your horse this morning, Strapper. Not a doubt of it. BLANCO [implacably contemptuous] Go home and wash yourself, you slut.