“Mr. Nuckles, how did you happen to become a minister?” Abe asked.

“Well, sur, I done had a dream,” said the Reverend Mr. Nuckles, as he clasped his hands over a knee and chewed vigorously.  “I done dreamt that I had swallered a double wagon and that the tongue o’ the wagon were stickin’ out o’ my mouth.  It were a cur’ous dream an’ I cain’t tell what you’d make of it, but I done tuk it for a sign that my tongue were to be used on the gospel.”

“It shows that a man who can swaller a wagon can swaller anything,” said Abe.  “But I’m glad you took it for a sign.  You’ve done a lot of good in this country.  I’ve seen you out in all weather and you’ve made over many a man and broke and bitted some of the wildest colts on the prairie.”

“I jes’ keep watch an’ when ol’ Satan comes snoopin’ eround I’m right thar to ketch holt an’ flop him.  It done come to pass frequent I’ve laid it on till he were jest a hollerin’ fer mercy.  Where do Samson Traylor live?”

Abe took him to the road and pointed the way.

“There be goin’ to be a raid,” said Nuckles.  “I reckon, by all I’ve heard, it’ll come on to-night.”

“A raid!  Who’s going to be raided?” Abe asked.

“Them Traylor folks.  A lady done tol’ me yesterday.  Soon as ever I got her soul saved she blabbed it.  Thar be a St. Louis man name o’ Biggs, done stirred up the folks from Missourey and Tennessee on the south road ‘bout the Yankee who holps the niggers out o’ bondage.  Them folks’d have slavery in this here county if they could.  They be right hot I reckon.  A stranger done been goin’ eround with whisky in his bags startin’ a band o’ regulators.  Held a meetin’ las’ Sunday.  They be goin’ to do some regulatin’ to-night.  Ol’ Satan’ll break loose.  Ef you don’t wa’ch out they’ll come over an’ burn his house sartin.”

“We’ll watch out,” said Abe.  “They don’t know Traylor.  He’s one of the best men in this country.”

“I’ve heered he were a he man an’ a right powerful, God-fearin’ man,” said the minister.

“He’s one of the best men that ever came to this country and any one that wants to try his strength is welcome to; I don’t,” said Abe.  “Are you going over there?”

“I were goin’ to warn ’em an’ holp ’em ef I cain.”

“Well, go on, but don’t stir ’em up,” Abe cautioned him.  “Don’t say a word about the raid.  I’ll be over there with some other fellers soon after sundown.  We’ll just tell ’em it’s a he party come over for a story-tellin’ an’ a rassle.  I reckon we’ll have some fun.  Ride on over and take supper with ’em.  They’re worth knowing.”

In a few minutes the minister mounted his horse and rode away followed by his big dog.

“If I was you I wouldn’t go,” said Berry.

“Why not?”

“It’ll hurt trade.  Let the rest of Traylor’s friends go over.  There’s enough of ’em.”

“We must all stand as one man for law and order,” said Abe.  “If we don’t there won’t be any.”