They  said  they  come  from  Greensboro',  and  they  had  to  go  to
Greensboro'  that  night,  and  said  they  were  there  by  au-
thority to  settle  that — that  I  had  been  cursing  white  folks,
and  they  wanted  mo  to  settle  it.  I  said,  "  All  right."
They  told  me  to  step  out  in  the  yard.  I  walked  out
and  they  walked  out  right  after  me  ;  one  of  them  walked
right  in  front  and  the  otliers  behind,  and  they  talked  to
me  and  said  I  had  been  cursinc;  white  folks.  I  told  them  I
had  not.  They  said  I  had  and  I  told  tliem  I  had  not ;  it  was
not  my  habit  to  curse  at  all,  and  it  anyljody  said  I  had  been
cursing  white  folks  it  was  not  true,  and  then  they  said  I  must
not  dispute  wdiito  folks.  I  said  ii  Vv'hite  folks  had  said  I  had
cursed  them  I  must  dispute  them,  for  it  was  not  so.  One  of
them  said  I  must  not  talk  so  ;  if  I  did  he  would  shoot  me,  and
one  of  them  ran  up  and  shot  a  pistol  off  right  over  my  shoulder
by  the  side  of  my  head.  By  that  time  tliey  had  gathered
around  me  and  said,  "  Be  still"  and  ordered  me  to  hush  talk-
ing. One  of  them  said,  "  Take  off  yonv  shirt."  I  did  take
it  off.  Then  they  marched  up  around  me.  I  could  not  tell
how  many  licks  they  struck  me,  but  they  struck  twelve  or
fourteen  licks.  I  don't  know  whether  all  struck  me.  I  did
not  pay  much  attention  to  it.
Q.  Did  you  state  how  nuiny  there  weie?  A.  Twelve  or
thirteen.
