The graves by the run and the extemporized
cemetery further away had even greater terrors for him than for Aun'
Jinkey. Even his whiskey jug could not inspire sufficient courage to
drive him at night far from his own door. Though both hating and
despising Whately, yet the absence of the young officer and his
force was now deeply regretted, as they had lent a sense of security
and maintained the old order of existing authority. Now he was
thrown chiefly on his own responsibility, for Mr. Baron was broken
and enfeebled by what he had passed through. Avarice spurned Perkins
to carry through the crops in which he had an interest, while his
hope of revenge on Chunk, Scoville and Miss Lou also tended to keep
him at a post which he foresaw would be one of difficulty and
danger. He had no doubt that the Union officer and his freedman
would return as soon as they could, and for the chance of wreaking
his vengeance he was the more willing to remain in what he feared
would be a spook-infested region. "Onst squar with them, en crops
realized," he muttered, "I kin feel mo' comft'ble in other parts.
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