262 THE FAT OF THE LAND 



near the barn. Much grumbling and some loud 

 threats were heard. Jackson took it upon him- 

 self to meet these angry men, and no one could 

 have done better. Stepping upon a box which 

 raised him a foot or two above the crowd, he 

 said : 



" See here, fellows, I want to say a word to 

 you. My name's Jackson Bill Jackson ; per- 

 haps some of you know me. If you don't, I'll 

 introduce myself. I wasn't in this fight, worse 

 luck for me ! but I am wide open for engagements 

 in that line. Some one inside said that this 

 gang must be conciliated, and I thought I would 

 come out and do it. I understand that you feel 

 sore over this affair, it's natural that you 

 should, but you must remember that those 

 boys out at Four Oaks couldn't accommodate all 

 of you. If you wouldn't mind taking me for a 

 substitute, I'll do my level best to make it lively 

 for you. You don't need cards, of introduction 

 to me ; you needn't be American citizens ; you 

 needn't speak English ; all you have to do is to 

 put up your hands or cock your hats, and I'll 

 know what you mean. If any of you thinks he 

 hasn't had his share of what's been going on this 

 afternoon, he may just call on Bill Jackson for 

 the balance. I want to conciliate you if I can ! 

 I'm a good-tempered man, and not the kind to 

 pick a quarrel ; but if any of you low-lived dogs 

 are looking for a fight, I'm not the man to dis- 

 appoint you ! I came out here to satisfy you in 



