“Where you located at, Mr. Carrington?” asked Yancy.  But Carrington was not given a chance to reply.  Uncle Sammy saved him the trouble.

“Back in Kentucky.  He tells me he’s been follerin’ the water.  What’s the name of that place where Andy Jackson fit the British?”

“New Orleans,” prompted Carrington good naturedly.

“That’s hit—­he takes rafts down the river to New Orleans, then he comes back on ships to Baltimore, or else he hoofs it no’th overland.”  Uncle Sammy had acquired a general knowledge of the stranger’s habits and pursuits in an incredibly brief space of time.  “He wants to visit the Forks,” he added.

“I’m shortly goin’ that way myself, Mr. Carrington, and I’ll be pleased of your company—­but first I got to get through with Bob Yancy,” said Balaam, and again he produced the warrant.  “If agreeable to you, Bob, I’ll ask Uncle Sammy, as a third party friendly to both, to read this here warrant,” he said.

“Who’s been a-warrantin’ Bob Yancy?” cried Uncle Sammy, with shrill interest.

“Dave Blount has.”

“I knowed hit—­I knowed he’d try to get even!” And Uncle Sammy struck his walking-stick sharply on the packed earth of Yancy’s dooryard.  “What’s the charge agin you, Bob?”

“Read hit,” said Balaam.  “Why, sho’—­can’t you read plain writin’, Uncle Sammy?” for the patriarch was showing signs of embarrassment.

“If you gentlemen will let me—­” said Carrington pleasantly.  Instantly there came a relieved chorus from the three in one breath.

“Why, sure!”

“Would my spectacles help you any, Mr. Carrington ?” asked Uncle Sammy officiously.

“No, I guess not.”

“They air powerful seein’ glasses, and I’m aweer some folks read a heap easier with spectacles than without ’em.”  After a moment’s scrutiny of the paper that Balaam had thrust in his hand, Carrington began: 

“To the Sheriff of the County of Cumberland:  Greetings.”

“He means me,” explained Balaam.  “He always makes ’em out to the sheriff, but they are returned to me and I serve ’em.”  Carrington resumed his reading

“Whereas, It is alleged that a murderous assault has been committed on one David Blount, of Fayetteville, by Robert Yancy, of Scratch Hill, said Blount sustaining numerous bruises and contusions, to his great injury of body and mind; and, whereas, it is further alleged that said murderous assault was wholly unprovoked and without cause, you will forthwith take into custody the person of said Yancy, of Scratch Hill, charged with having inflicted the bruises and contusions herein set forth in the complaint of said Blount, and instantly bring him into our presence to answer to these various and several crimes and misdemeanors.  You are empowered to seize said Yancy wherever he may be at; whether on the hillside or in the valley, eating or sleeping, or at rest.

“De Lancy Balaam, Magistrate.