I said I was willing to do anything I could
understand.
"Do you understand anything?" asked the Deputy.
"Well, some things, marrying for instance," was my answer.
"I want no joking or blackguardism about this matter," said the
Deputy; "them simple fact is, you've got to work; if you don't we'll
make you."
So I kept on at hewing, making no improvement, and in a day or two
more the shopkeeper undertook to show me how the work should be
done. I protested I never could learn it.
"You don't try; and I have a good mind to punish you."
The moment the shop-keeper said it I dropped the snath, raised my
axe, and told him that if he came one step nearer to me I would make
mincemeat of him. He thought it was advisable to stay where he was;
but one of the prison-keepers was in the shop, and as he came toward
me I warned him that he had better keep away.
All the men in the shop were ready to break out in insubordination;
when I threatened the shop keeper and the guard, they cheered; the
Deputy Warden was soon on the ground; he stood in the doorway a
moment, and then, in a kind tone called me to him. I had no
immediate quarrel with him, and so I dropped my axe and went to him.
He told me that there was no use of "making a muss" there, it
incited the other prisoners to insubordination, and was sure to
bring severe punishment upon myself. "Go and get your cap and coat,"
said he "and come with me."
"But if you are going to put me into that black hole of yours," I
exclaimed, "I won't go; you'll have to draw me there or kill me on
the way.
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