Summary

When Thornhill returned home Smasher, Sagitty, Twist, Loveday, Mrs. Herring and Blackwood were all gathered there. There was fear on Sal’s face when she told him the blacks had gotten Spider. One man had distracted Julia Webb while the others had stripped all of Spider’s corn. Sagitty said they’d stolen four bags of wheat from him and that they were asking for trouble. Finishing the story about Spider, Smasher said the blacks had threatened Spider with a spear and had taken everything of worth that they had. Spider had decided to leave and go to Windsor where he would open a public house and sell liquor. Mrs. Herring warned Smasher that he and Sagitty were headed for trouble. Smasher bragged about killing two blacks near his place. Thornhill thought Smasher was trying to provoke Blackwood...