I told you then that I'd go in with you and stand by the old oath, so long as it was necessary to protect ourselves from them that might be tryin' to get even for what had been done, but that I wouldn't go no farther.

I don't mind tellin' you now, boys--though I reckon you know it--that I went in because I knowed what you'd do for me if I didn't.

And I didn't dare risk leaving my girl all alone then.

I've 'tended every meetin', and done everything I agreed, and there ain't a man here can say I ain't." Some of the men nodded, and "That's so," and "You're right, Jim" came from two or three.
Jim went on, "You know that I voted against it, and tried to stop you when you hung old man Lewis.

I thought then, and I think yet, that it was spite work and not protection; and you know how I was against goin' for the shepherd, and you went when I didn't know it.