It was a great story Abner had to tell that night at supper. The boys, who always ate early, were playing out in the yard, and the sound of their laughter drifted in through the open window. Abner told nothing about what he had demanded of the three men, but merely of the fright he had given them.
"Ye should've seen their faces," he chuckled3. "They thought fer sure that I was goin' to swamp 'em in them white-caps. My, how they begged me to go back!"
"It was a shameful4 thing to do," Mrs. Andrews declared. "They will never forgive you, and they are government members at that."
But Belle5 did not consider it in that light. She was highly amused, and her eyes danced with merriment.
"Don't you worry, Mrs. Andrews," she said. "It will take more than that before those men get all that's coming to them. I know who they are from Mr. Andrews' description, for daddy has often told me about them. They have been a great worry to him for years, and I can imagine how he will laugh when I tell him how they were frightened. Daddy doesn't approve of such schemes, for I have often heard him say so."
A new feeling pervaded6 the house since Sunday night. Mrs. Andrews and Jess were more at ease after they had heard that notable sermon. They even felt proud of Abner, and were sorry that they had wrongfully misjudged him. They were doing their best now to make up for their past mistake, and this Abner noted7.
But notwithstanding the changed atmosphere in the home Abner was visibly worried. The trial was but two days off, and he looked forward to it with considerable anxiety. He confided8 his trouble to Zeb as the latter was working at his bench the next afternoon.
"I'm beginnin' to feel shaky," he confessed. "I don't know nuthin' about court proceedin's, an' that's where that cur of a Rackshaw'll have the dead cinch on me."
"Look to ye'r special ancestors, Abner," Zeb bantered10, as he paused in the act of measuring a board. "Ye've got so many that ye ought to be able to find a clever lawyer among 'em."
"H'm," Abner grunted11, "I'm afraid they won't help me much at the trial. They're too spiritual, ye see, an' they wouldn't make any impression upon him. It needs somethin' like rats, fer instance, to have any effect upon that brute12."
"It's a pity ye didn't git a smart lawyer, Abner. I'd like to see Rackshaw butt13 up aginst someone more'n his equal. That feller needs to be brought down a peg14, an' made to squirm a bit. But I'm afraid there's not much chance of you doin' that."
"I know it, Zeb," Abner agreed, "an' that's what's worryin' me. It's not of meself I'm thinking but of them dependin' on me."
This feeling of depression increased as Abner and Zeb drove into town the next day. The latter was going to stand by his neighbor, and do what he could to help him by his presence, if in no other way. The morning was hot, and Jerry jogged leisurely15 along. The men were in no hurry, as court did not open until ten o'clock.
For some time neither mentioned the big event of the day. Each hesitated to express his views, for there was no brightness to the cloud hanging dark and lowering.
"It takes good nerves to stand a trial," Abner at length declared.
"Y'bet it does," was the emphatic16 reply. "An' a big purse, too, let me tell ye that. It's easy to git into trouble, but mighty17 hard to git out."
"Like them rats in that wire-trap, eh? But it should make a difference when a man has justice on his side."
"Seems to me, Abner, that justice depends upon the way ye look at it," Zeb replied. "Joe Preston thinks that his cause is just, an' so d'you. But it doesn't matter what you or Joe thinks. It's how the judge an' the jury will look at it. An' that depends upon——"
Zeb paused and looked thoughtfully at the horse.
"Upon what?" Abner anxiously enquired18.
"Upon the way the case is presented. Now, you know a hull19 lot, Abner, an' kin9 spout20 like a force-pump when ye're settin' with me in the workshop. But when ye git up there in court ye'll find ye'r tongue's tied in a double-an'-twisted knot."
"Sure, sure," Abner agreed. "I've had the feelin' before, 'specially21 when I proposed to Tildy. I lost me tongue altogether that time. It was awful."
"Well, I'm afraid it'll be awfuller when ye'r called upon to defend ye'rself. Now, if ye had a smart lawyer to do it fer ye it 'ud make a great difference. I s'pose ye'r family felt pretty bad when ye left this mornin'?"
"Tildy an' Jess did, but Belle was as chipper as a sparrow. She didn't feel one bit put out, an' gave me strict instructions to give it to Rackshaw good an' hard."
"She doesn't understand, mebbe, what ye'r up aginst Abner. Ye see, she's never had to hustle22 fer herself or fight her way in the world. But ye'r wife an' Jess know somethin' about sich things."
"But Belle is no fool nor giddy headed butterfly let me tell ye that," Abner defended. "She's got a mighty long head on young shoulders, an' if she didn't feel bad about the trial I believe it is because she has sich confidence in me. She somehow thinks that I'm all right. She's surely some gal23, that, an' we'll miss her when she goes home."
The court room was already well filled when Abner and Zeb arrived. The trial was of special interest, for people, knowing something of the defendant24's peculiarities25, expected lively and interesting scenes. Isaac Dimock and Henry Whittles26 were there. They could not afford to lose the opportunity of seeing the defeat of their enemy, especially when Rackshaw got after him. They were sitting together, and they smiled and whispered as the two countrymen entered the room. The lawyer was seated at a small table with his client by his side. He was in excellent spirits, smiling and talking with Preston as Abner and Zeb appeared. He was joyfully27 anticipating his onset28 upon the man who had so grossly insulted him. He would get more than even for that rat-affair. He looked with satisfaction upon the witnesses lined upon the witness bench, and knew that they would give "proper" evidence. They all had been carefully prepared, as he had seen to that. Everything had been thoroughly29 arranged, and he could not detect a hitch30 anywhere. He was anxious now for the judge and jury to arrive that the case might begin. Abner sat alone on one end of the witness seat. He felt more dejected than ever as he glanced at the witnesses who were to testify against him. He observed the eager, triumphant31 expression upon Rackshaw's face, and it angered him. He knew that he had not the slightest chance against the forces opposed to him. It made him surly and indifferent, and he was in a most dangerous mood by the time the court opened.
Rackshaw began the case, and in eloquent32 language described every detail of the assault. He referred to the serious bodily damage which had been inflicted33 upon his client, who had been in the hospital ever since, and was still very weak from the rough handling he had received. He spoke34 for over half an hour, and closed by stating what a menace to the community the defendant was. He was more than a fool, so he declared; he was a vicious character, and unless stringent35 measures were taken against him there was no telling what he might do in the future.
Rackshaw's words made a deep impression upon the jury and on all who were in the room, excepting Zeb Burns and a few others. It was quite evident what the verdict would be, for there was no one present able to stand up against the lawyer.
Abner had followed Rackshaw's speech with the keenest attention. As each point was emphasized, he tried to turn over in his mind what he could say in self-defense. But he became hopelessly confused, and when the lawyer was through he knew that it was impossible and futile36 to try to make any reply. He sat there upon the bench with the eyes of all fixed37 upon him. The people were now expecting considerable fun, for all were aware of Abner's sharp tongue and marked eccentricities38. To see him and listen to his words had drawn39 many to the court room that morning. But Abner was in no mood for anything of a humorous nature. The situation was too critical, and he felt that the less said the better it would be for him. He would let the rest do the talking and make the next move.
For a few minutes an intense silence prevailed, all wondering what would happen next. Rackshaw was smiling in a most tantalizing40 manner, and Preston, too, was amused. The members of the jury also smiled as they watched the pathetic figure of the farmer sitting before them. It would be an easy task for them to arrive at a true decision, so they believed.
As the judge was about to speak, a slight commotion41 took place near the door, and two men pushed their way through the crowd, and walked swiftly up the aisle42. The instant Rackshaw saw them, the triumphant expression fled from his face, and his eyes bulged43 with apprehension44. He grasped in a twinkling the meaning of their presence.
"Good Lord!" he gasped45, turning to Preston, "it's Rivers, the Attorney General, and he's got Stevens with him!"
Abner saw the strangers, but they meant nothing to him. He liked the looks of the man who was bowing to the judge and apologizing for his tardiness46, owing to the lateness of the train. He was tall and straight, with a noble head crowned with a wealth of hair, thickly streaked47 with gray. He had a strong face, a manner dignified48 and imperious, and eyes which never wavered, but pierced, so his opponents were forced to acknowledge, like lightning.
All this Abner noted, and he knew that here was a man of considerable importance, not only by his appearance but by the deference49 paid him by the judge. His presence was explained in a few minutes, and not only Abner but the entire assembly were completely astonished.
"I have made a great effort to be here this morning," the speaker announced. "It was only lately that I heard of this trial. Had it come to my attention sooner I should have taken immediate50 steps to have the case settled before it came into court. Even now it may not be too late. I wish to state that I am here this morning on behalf of the defendant, Mr. Abner Andrews, of Ash Point. I am acquainted with all the details of the case, and shall do my best for the defendant. In this I shall be ably assisted by Mr. Stevens, who has accompanied me. You are all familiar, I am sure, with his reputation as a lawyer."
Abner only partly understood the meaning of these words. He was dazed and confused. He knew that the man had come to his assistance, but who he was and why he should defend him was beyond his comprehension.
But Rackshaw knew, and the knowledge filled him with a burning anger, mingled51 with an intense fear. It was the Attorney General's daughter who was at the bottom of all this, he was certain. She was visiting the Andrews, and for her sake her father had taken this most unusual and unheard-of step. He knew Rivers of old, and realized how utterly52 useless it would be to oppose such a man. He feared, too, the able lawyer who had accompanied him. The two would form opponents in any court of which any lawyer might have just reason to dread53.
Added to this was the knowledge of the influence Rivers wielded54 in the Government of the province. As Attorney General his power was great, and both Rackshaw and Preston knew that it would be to their advantage to come to some terms of agreement as speedily as possible. They were both in line for political favors, and it would be necessary for them to move as cautiously as possible.
"There is something else I wish to say," Rivers continued, and he turned his particular attention to Preston. "If the plaintiff is determined55 to press this case, and is unwilling56 to make a settlement out of court, I shall at once, on behalf of the defendant, bring in a charge of libel. All here, I believe, are well acquainted with the article which recently appeared in The Live Wire, of which the plaintiff is the editor. It made a most serious and uncalled-for statement concerning the defendant's wife, and which was the direct cause of all this trouble. I should regret to take this step, but shall be forced to do so unless matters are otherwise arranged."
Rackshaw and Preston were now in a difficult and most unenviable position. They had entirely57 overlooked this phase of the case, and it brought consternation58 into their hearts. They could easily perceive that the people in the room were greatly excited and were watching the next move with the keenest interest. To go forward meant no end of difficulties with such stern opponents to face. Retreat, as Rackshaw knew, was the better part of valor59, and his only problem now was how to retreat as gracefully60 as possible. He had to act, and act quickly, for all were watching him with impatient curiosity. His triumphant, tantalizing manner had entirely vanished, and as he rose to his feet his body trembled, and his face became unusually pale. His statements were broken and he stammered61 as he proceeded, to the great amusement of the spectators.
"My client here is willing to discuss this matter out of court," he announced. "His cause is just, and he has every reason to press the case. But as the Attorney General has taken the trouble to interest himself in this little affair, it would be most unbecoming on our part not to comply with his request before going further. If a peaceful settlement can be agreed upon it will perhaps be better for all concerned."
Abner was never able to give a clear account of what happened immediately after the court adjourned62. He was conscious of a great commotion in the room, and of the Attorney General grasping him by the hand and asking about Belle. He also heard him say that he was coming to Ash Point the next day, and would be there in time for tea. Just what he said in reply Abner was not altogether sure. He stammered something about Belle being well, and that they would all be glad to see him. But his brain was so confused that he could not think clearly until he was out of the building and walking along the street with Zeb by his side. The fresh air revived him, his spirits returned, and he emitted a hearty63 chuckle2.
"My, I'm glad ye'r comin' to," Zeb laconically64 remarked. "Thought I'd have to call fer the doctor."
"Oh, I'm all right now, Zeb," was the reply. "But, say, the air of that room was bad. It was worse than the jail, blamed if it wasn't. I never imagined that Rackshaw could foul65 up a place in sich a short time. Guess all of his evil spirits must have been hoverin' around him pretty lively, from all appearances."
"An' they must have been hoverin' over you, too, Abner, by the way ye looked an' acted."
"Sure, sure. Why, I never felt so mixed up since the day old Parson Shaw hitched66 up me an' Tildy. I was completely gone then, an' don't know to this day what I said."
"Bad spirits, eh?" and Zeb's eyes twinkled.
"Bad? Ugh! Ask Tildy, Zeb. She knows where I got the stuff."
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收听单词发音
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1
defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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2
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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10
bantered
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| v.开玩笑，说笑，逗乐( banter的过去式和过去分词 )；（善意地）取笑，逗弄 | |
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11
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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peg
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| n.木栓，木钉；vt.用木钉钉，用短桩固定 | |
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15
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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20
spout
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| v.喷出，涌出；滔滔不绝地讲；n.喷管；水柱 | |
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21
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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hustle
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| v.推搡；竭力兜售或获取；催促；n.奔忙(碌) | |
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gal
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| n.姑娘，少女 | |
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defendant
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| n.被告；adj.处于被告地位的 | |
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peculiarities
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| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
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whittles
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| v.切，削（木头），使逐渐变小( whittle的第三人称单数 ) | |
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joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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onset
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| n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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30
hitch
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| v.免费搭(车旅行)；系住；急提；n.故障；急拉 | |
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31
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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33
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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stringent
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| adj.严厉的；令人信服的；银根紧的 | |
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futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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38
eccentricities
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| n.古怪行为( eccentricity的名词复数 )；反常；怪癖 | |
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39
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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40
tantalizing
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| adj.逗人的；惹弄人的；撩人的；煽情的v.逗弄，引诱，折磨( tantalize的现在分词 ) | |
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41
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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aisle
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| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
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43
bulged
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| 凸出( bulge的过去式和过去分词 )； 充满； 塞满（某物） | |
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44
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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45
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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46
tardiness
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| n.缓慢；迟延；拖拉 | |
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47
streaked
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| adj.有条斑纹的，不安的v.快速移动( streak的过去式和过去分词 )；使布满条纹 | |
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48
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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49
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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50
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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51
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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52
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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53
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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54
wielded
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| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的过去式和过去分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
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55
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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56
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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57
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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58
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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59
valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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60
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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61
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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62
adjourned
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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63
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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laconically
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| adv.简短地，简洁地 | |
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65
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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66
hitched
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| （免费）搭乘他人之车( hitch的过去式和过去分词 )； 搭便车； 攀上； 跃上 | |
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