_Harris._ Adzackly (giving the lawyer a knowing wink, and at the same time clearing his throat). Captain Rice, he gin a treat, and cousin Sally Dilliard, she came over to our house, and axed me if my wife she moutn’t go? I told cousin Sally Dilliard that my wife was poorly, being as how she had a touch of the rheumatics in the hip, and the big swamp was in the road, and the big swamp was up, for there had been a heap of rain lately; but howsomever, as it was she, cousin Sally Dilliard, my wife she mout go. Well, cousin Sally Dilliard then axed me if Mose he moutn’t go? I told cousin Sally Dilliard that he was the foreman of the crap, and the crap was smartly in the grass; but howsomever as it was she, cousin Sally Dilliard, Mose he mout go. _Chops._ In the name of common sense, Mr. Harris, what do you mean by this rigmarole? _Witness._ Captain Rice he gin a treat, and cousin Sally Dilliard she came over to our house, and axed me if my wife she moutn’t go? I told cousin Sally Dilliard— _Chops._ Stop, Sir, if you please; we don’t want to hear anything about your cousin Sally Dilliard and your wife. Tell us about the fight at Rice’s. _Witness._ Well, I will, Sir, if you will let me. _Chops._ Well, Sir, go on. _Witness._ Well, Sir, Captain Rice he gin a treat, and Cousin Sally Dilliard she came over to our house, and axed me if my wife she moutn’t go— _Chops._ There it is again. Witness, please to stop. _Witness._ Well, Sir, what do you want? _Chops._ We want to know about the fight; and you must not proceed in this impertinent story. Do you know anything about the matter before the court? _Witness._ To be sure, I do. _Chops._ Well, go on and tell it, and nothing else. _Witness._ Well, Captain Rice he gin a treat— _Chops._ This is intolerable. May it please the court, I move that this witness be committed for a contempt; he seems to be trifling with this court. _Court._ Witness, you are now before a court of justice, and unless you behave yourself in a more becoming manner, you will be sent to gaol; so begin and tell what you know about the fight at Captain Rice’s. _Witness._ (alarmed.) Well, gentlemen, Captain Rice he gin a treat, and Cousin Sally Dilliard— _Chops._ I hope the witness may be ordered into custody. _Court._ (after deliberating.) Mr. Attorney, the Court is of opinion that we may save time by telling witness to go on in his own way. Proceed, Mr. Harris, with your story, but stick to the point.