human
Gentlemen, there don't seem to be anybody else a-comin'--we might as well 'tend to bizness. I move that Major Burkess takes the chair, if there's no objections.
gpt
You all know the object of this meeting, gentlemen. The first thing in order is to prove the identity of the prisoner.
human
Needn't trouble yourself 'bout that, growled the prisoner.
gpt
I'm Bill Bowney; an' yer too cowardly to untie me, though ther _be_ a dozen uv yer.
human
The prisoner admits he is Bill Bowney, continued the major,
gpt
Charges? cried an excitable farmer.
human
Didn't I catch him untying my horse, an' ridin' off on him from Budley's? Didn't I tell him to drop that anamile, an' didn't he purty near drop _me_ instead? Charges?--here's the charge!
gpt
Pity I didn't draw a better bead! growled the prisoner.
human
The hoss only fetched two ounces.
gpt
Prisoner admits stealing Mr. Barke's horse, and firing on Mr. Barke. Any further evidence?
human
Rather, drawled an angular gentleman.
gpt
I was goin' up the valley by the stage, an' all of a sudden the driver stopped where there wasn't no station. There was fellers had hold of the leaders, an' there was pistols p'inted at the driver an' folks in general. Then our money an' watches was took, an' the feller that took mine had a cross-cut scar on the back of his hand--right hand; maybe somebody'll look at Bill's.
human
The cut's there, as described, said the major.
gpt
Anything else?
human
Ther's this much, said another.
gpt
I busted up flat, you all know, on account of the dry season, last year, an' I hadn't nothin' left but my hoss. Bill Bowney knowed it as well's anybody else, yet he come and stole that hoss. It pawed like thunder, an' woke me up--fur 'twas night, an' light as 'tis now--an' I seed Bowney a-ridin' him off. 'Twas a sneakin', mean, cowardly trick.