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, ’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, ’m not the man to dis- 
appoint you! I came out here to satisfy you in 
