Midday
Tangles impeded , doubts beset them , although the axe by which the desired route had been blazed out aforetime by the petitioners had been zealous and active ; but the part of a pioneer in a primeval wilderness is indeed the threading of a clueless labyrinth , and both sun and compass were consulted often before the continued direction of the road could be determined and located . In such cases , to the lovers of the consistent in character , the respective traits of old Persimmon Sneed and Silas Boyd were displayed in all their pristine value ; for although their interests were identical , both being opposed to the opening of the road , the dictatorial arrogations of the elder man and the pugnacious persistence of the younger served to antagonize them on many a minor point in question , subsidiary to the main issue , as definitely as if they were each arrayed against the other , instead of both being in arms under the `` No Road '' banner . `` Mighty nigh ez interestin ' ez a dog-fight , '' said Jeremiah Sayres in an aside to one of the jury . Midday found them considerably advanced on their way , but brought to a halt by an insistence on the part of Silas Boyd that the road should be diverted from a certain depression showing marshy tendencies to a rugged slope where the footing was dry but difficult . `` That 's under water more 'n haffen the winter , I 'll take my everlastin ' oath . Ef the road runs thar , that piece will take enough mendin ' in a season ter keep up ten mile o ' dry road , '' he argued vehemently . `` Water ai n't dangersome , nowise , '' retorted the elderly Persimmon , with a snarling smile .