Boggs comes a-tearing along on his horse, whooping and…
““Boggs comes a-tearing along on his horse, whooping and yelling like an Injun, and singing out: "Clear the track, thar. I'm on the waw-path, and the price uv coffins is a-gwyne to raise." He was drunk, and weaving about in his saddle; he was over fifty year old, and had a very red face. Everybody yelled at him and laughed at him and sassed him, and he sassed back, and said he'd attend to them and lay them out in their regular turns, but he couldn't wait now because he'd come to town to kill old Colonel Sherburn, and his motto was, "Meat first and spoon vittles to top off on." He see me, and rode up and says:"Whar'd you come f'm boy? You prepared to die?" Then he rode on. I was scared, but a man says: "He don't mean nothing; he's always a-carryin' on like that when he's drunk. He's the best-naturedest old fool in Arkansaw--never hurt nobody, drunk no sober.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A drunken, boastful rider threatens violence but is harmless, reflecting reckless bravado and local humor.
In simple terms: A drunk man threatens violence but is harmless.
Key Takeaway
Don’t take reckless threats seriously.
Themes
humor
violence
drunkenness
regional culture
Mood
playful
ironic
critical
Type
literary
satirical
dialogue
When to use this quote
- rural tavern
- frontier travel
- conflict de‑escalation
- social gatherings
Key Concepts
American literature
satire
character study
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this scene reveal about attitudes toward drunkenness?
- How does humor mask underlying violence?
A Different Perspective
The quote romanticizes dangerous behavior, ignoring real harm.