ie him across a
log and give him fifty lashes as a starter. Then, when they untie
him, they'll remark that if he is not gone within three days they will
give him a hundred. See the point?"

"Zeb, he deserves it, but I'm afraid that course won't do."

"Not weakening, are you?"

"Weakening? Who ever knew me to weaken? I say he deserves it."

"But you say it won't do."

"And I'm afraid it won't. It would create a terrible scandal."

"It's done every week, in some part of the country. Even the most
law-abiding citizens acknowledge that it is a good thing."

"It might do in the country, severe as it is, but it would be
different in town. The law would interfere, and that would be
disgraceful."

"But the law will not interfere. I can fix the town marshal, and as
for the sheriff--he owes me for a span of mules. I have worked it all
out. In the evening I'll go around to Uncle Jasper's with a bottle of
old Bourbon. I'll tell him that I am celebrating my birthday or
something. Once in a while he takes to the bottle, and the old liquor
will tempt him. Well, when he's in good condition, I'll put him to bed
and shortly afterwards the boys will come for brother Lyman. In the
meantime I will see that there are no guns in the way. The women will
be scared, of course, but they'll soon get over it. Isn't that a plan
worthy of a county surveyor?"

"The plan's all right, Zeb, but I'm afraid of it's execution.
Supposing my name should become involved. It would ruin me."

"Yes, but your name sha'n't be involved."

"He will suspect you and me, too."

"But he couldn't prove anything."

"Well, now, you may do as you please, but I'll have no hand in it. I
refuse to countenance it."

"You simply don't know anything about it."

"Of course not. I'm too much taken up with other affairs."

Sawyer arose to go. "I shall see you again, I suppose. I mean before
anything is done," said McElwin. "At the house," he added.

Sawyer looked down: "I don't feel free to come there," he said. "She
has told me not to."

McElwin coughed dryly: "Nonsensical proprieties," he remarked,
scraping his feet upon the floor. "But I am to see you again?"

"I think not--until afterwards. Whatever is done, you know, must be
done at once."

Sawyer went out. The clock struck and McElwin glanced up at it. Then
he settled down into a deep muse. Sawyer's plan was desperate--it was
outlawry. It ought not to be carried out, and yet the provocation was
great.