Some of the idlers even rose and sauntered to the edge of the veranda, the better to see the baiting of the giant.

His prodigious size made his timidity the more amusing.
"You dunno, eh ?" asked the other.

"Well, son, I'm Sheriff Bill Anderson!" He waited to see the effect of this portentous announcement.
"I never heard tell of any Sheriff Bill Anderson," said Bull in the same mild voice.
The sheriff gasped.

The idlers hastily veiled their mouths with much coughing and clearing of the throat.

It seemed that the tables had been subtly turned upon the sheriff.
"You!" exclaimed the sheriff, extending a bony arm.