Summary

Tant Jenkins (153-154) / Bill House (155-156) — In October 1909, a hurricane “tore away half of Key West” (155). Before the hurricane, Watson rushed his wife and kids into Chokoloskee to stay with the Smallwoods, “because his crazy foreman was out to kill somebody” (155). Later that month, Watson visited his family in Chokoloskee, bringing with him Dutchy Melville. In front of a crowd, Dutchy became furious with Watson and accused him of wanting him dead: “Back-shooting, Ed? I always head that was your damn specialty” (156). Dutchy was never seen again after that day.

Owen Harden (157-158) —The Hardens — other than Earl — never usually paid attention to the Watson rumors. But in his old age, Richard began to entertain the “Watson Payday” stories. Now even the Hardens were scared of Watson.

Hoad Storter (159-163) — Hoad was good childhood friends with Lucius Watson, but had not seen...