human
Don't move, Martin,
gpt
What do you want?
human
I am the sheriff. Got a warrant for your arrest. No use makin' a fight for it, Hawk. You are completely surrounded. You can't get away.
gpt
I ain't done nothin' to be arrested fer, cried the man in the doorway.
human
I'm an honest man,--I hain't ever done--
gpt
Well, that's not for me to decide, interrupted the sheriff, now not more than a dozen feet away.
human
I've got a warrant charging you with sheep-stealing and so on, and that's all there is to it. I'm not the judge and jury. You come along quiet now and no foolishness.
gpt
Who says I stole sheep?
human
Step outside here and I'll read the affidavit to you. And say, if you don't want your dogs massacreed, you'd better call 'em off.
gpt
I might have knowed you'd git me into trouble, you lop-eared, sheep-killin' whelps! he whined.
human
I'd ought to shot the hull pack of ye when you was pups. Git out'n my sight! There's yer sheep-stealers, sheriff,--them ornery, white-livered, blood-suckin'--
gpt
I don't know anything about that, Martin, snapped the sheriff.
human
All I know is, you got to come along with me,--peaceable or otherwise,--and I guess if you're half as smart as I think you are, you won't come otherwise. Here! Don't go back in that house, Hawk.
gpt
Well, I got to tell my daughter--
human
We'll tell her. There's another man or two in there. Just tell 'em to step outside,--and leave their weapons behind 'em.
gpt
There ain't a livin' soul in thar, 'cept my daughter,--so he'p me God, sheriff,
human
No use lyin', Hawk. You've got a man named Suggs stayin' with you. He ain't accused of anything, so he needn't be afraid to come out. Same applies to your daughter Moll. But I don't want anybody in there to take a shot at us the minute we turn our backs. Shake 'em out, Hawk.
gpt
I tell ye there ain't nobody here but me an' Moll,--an' she's sick. She can't come out. An'--an' you can't go in,--not unless you got a warrant to search my house. That's what the law sez,--an' you know it. I'll go along with you peaceable,--an' stand my trial fer sheep-stealin' like a man. Lemme get my hat an' coat, an' I'll come--
human
I guess there's something queer about all this, interrupted the sheriff. The man beside him had just whispered something in his ear.
gpt
We'll take a look inside that cabin, law or no law, Hawk. Move up, boys! he called out to the scattered men.
human
Keep your eyes skinned. If you ketch sight of a rifle ball comin' to'ards you,--dodge. And you, Martin, step outside here, where you won't be in the way. I'm going in there.