with your full approval," pursued the judge, with charming
deference.

"You'll get yourself shot full of holes," said Mr. Saul.

"What causes me to hesitate is this: my name is unfamiliar to
your citizens. You know their prejudices, Mr. Saul; how would
they regard me if I put myself forward?"

"Can't say how they would take it," rejoined Mr. Saul.

Again the judge gave him a fixed scrutiny. Then ha shook him
warmly by the hand.

"Think of what I have said; ponder it, sir, and let me have your
answer at another time." And he backed from Mr. Saul's presence
with spectacular politeness.

"A cheap mind!" thought the judge, as he hurried up the street.

He broached the subject to Mr. Wesley the postmaster, to Mr.
Ellison the gunsmith, to Mr. Pegloe, employing much the same
formula he had used with Mr. Saul, and with results almost
identical. He imagined there must be some conspiracy afoot to
keep him out of the public eye, and in the end he managed to lose
his temper.

"Hasn't Norton any friends?" he demanded of Pegloe. "Who's going
to be safe at this rate? We want to let some law into west
Tennessee, a hanging or two would clear the air!" His emotions