"It's a lie."

     Several of them jumped for him and begged him not to talk that way to an old man and a preacher.

     "Preacher be hanged, he's a fraud and a liar. He was up at the Pint that mornin'. I live up there, don't I? Well, I was up there, and he was up there. I see him there. He come in a canoe, along with Tim Collins and a boy."

     The doctor he up and says:

     "Would you know the boy again if you was to see him, Hines?"

     "I reckon I would, but I don't know. Why, yonder he is, now. I know him perfectly easy."

     It was me he pointed at. The doctor says:

     "Neighbors, I don't know whether the new couple is frauds or not; but if THESE two ain't frauds, I am an idiot, that's all. I think it's our duty to see that they don't get away from here till we've looked into this thing. Come along, Hines; come along, the rest of you. We'll take these fellows to the tavern and affront them with t'other couple, and I reckon we'll find out SOMETHING before we get through."