noon
Indeed , every figure seemed distinct ; for , living apart from his neighbor , and troubling the law but little in small matters of dispute , the mountaineer preserves independence , and keeps the edges of his individuality unworn . Apparently there was not a woman in town . Those that lived there kept housed , and the fact was significant . Still , it was close to noon , and yet not a Stetson or a Lewallen had been seen . The stores of Rufe and old Jasper were at the extremities of the town , and the crowd did not move those ways . It waited in the centre , and whetted impatience by sly trips in twos and three to stables or side alleys for `` mountain dew . '' Now and then the sheriff , a little man with a mighty voice , would appear on the courthouse steps , and summon a witness to court , where a frightened judge gave instructions to a frightened jury .