It was dark inside the jail when Judge Mauldin rattled the iron door, though light held outside. Night chill had settled into the wall stones, and there was a hint of frost in the air. He came in, rubbing his fat hands. Logg opened Uncle Jolly’s cell and I followed, going close behind Logg. Judge Mauldin sat down heavily on the cot, twisting his watch chain around a thick finger. There was a bushtail squirrel carved from a peach seed hanging on the chain’s end, real as life.

“Reckon you heard the Honeycutts are trying to hog-tie me into sending you back to Frankfort,” the judge said.

“I heard a little sketch,” Uncle Jolly said, threading his arms through the bars.

The judge groaned. “I can’t spare a vote.”

“You’ll lose a mess either way,” Uncle Jolly warned. “I got no notion o’ going back to the pen anyhow. A log team couldn’t drag me there agin. It’s like pulling eyeteeth just to stay in this jailhouse.”

Logg brought in a smoky lantern, holding a match to the oily wick.

The judge cracked heavy knuckles against his palms. “I’m not a-going to send you back,” he said. “I got it figured this way. You stay in jail till election day-then it won’t matter who rows up. I just want me one more term. Logg’ll loose you the minute the Honeycutts get voted on Jones Fork.”

“That’s eight days a-coming,” Uncle Jolly said. “It’ll keep me here plumb till hog-killing time. Like setting on a frog gig staying, and me knowing I could snake out any time the notion struck.”

“You’ve gone nowhere yet, as I see,” Logg said.

Uncle Jolly looked at the ring of keys hung on Logg’s belt. “Never took a strong idea,” he said. “I hain’t safe in here long as there’s a key walking around. I can’t trust myself to stay shet up.”

“If you don’t stay, I’ll be bound to send you back to Frankfort,” Judge Mauldin warned.

The judge stood to go. I went out behind him, Logg following and locking the door, and hooking the ring on his belt. Uncle Jolly thrust his arms through the bars as Logg turned, lifting the ring with a finger, quick as an eye-bat. I glimpsed it all and waited, holding my breath, fearing for Uncle Jolly. The judge and Logg walked up the hall, not looking back or knowing. When they had gone, Uncle Jolly took one key off, handing the rest to me. “Go take the others back,” he said. “This one won’t be missed for a spell.”