Summary

Chapter 7 (767-784)

Code of the Frontier (767-771) — In the months following Tabitha’s death, Sam Tolen’s drinking increased and his ability to maintain the Ichetucknee plantation lessened. Sam lost all of his harvest hands because he accused everyone of trying to steal from him. One day, a drunken Sam rode up to Will Cox’s house and nonsensically began threatening him. Leslie came out of the house and pointed a gun at Sam, instructing Sam to apologize to his father. From that point forward, “Sam was spoiling for a showdown” with Leslie (768). Leslie sought Watson’s advice on what to do about Sam Tolen: “I better shoot him first,” said Leslie (769). Watson simply told Leslie that “every man had his own idea of justice” and that Leslie had to do what he had to do. Watson admitted he had a bias...