318 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1753-1761.

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.

to do but as they came out of the Door of the House one
John Sharpe and one Pennington Welch who had just come
up Sharpe with a Hickery Stick and Welch with an Iron rod
or Spear in their hands met them when Sharp called out what
the Devil is here to pay, upon which this deponent desired
him to be peaceable, as all Matters were settled, but Sharp
still making a great to do, said, where is the Damned eternal
Sheriff, Ill cleave him to the Earth, or words to that effect ;
Outten then just stepping out of the Doore, who having a
Cutlass in his hand (being one that had been Taken from the
aforesaid Mullinux) they met and after some Strokes had
past the said Outten cut the said Sharps Stick in two and also
gave him a wound on the Right Shoulder and left Shoulder
Blade that during the time of Outtens and Sharpes Engage-
ment the aforesaid Welch made a Blow at Outten which
fell on his Left shoulder with such force, that the rod bent
and fell Out of Welches hand when he and Sharpe made off
and One William Connaway then present took up the Rod
and Ran after Welch, and as this Dopenent thought would
have beat him to the Earth had not this Deponent called out
to him not to Strike, That this Deponent being at his House,
the said Outten and Sundry others of his Company went
round a small House to their Horses in order to Ride away,
When two men rode up with Guns, and some others with
Clubs, to whome Sharp Spake and bid them see how Outten
had cut Him one of them Answered and said take my Gun
and Shoot him; That Sharpe immediately took the Gun,
cocked her and presented her towards the place where said
Outten must pass and swore he would Shoot him as he past

p. 277

by, Sundry of the people prompting him there to by telling
him to Shoot; upon which this Deponent rode up to Sharpe
and desired him not to Shoot, and requested the Other Per-
sons to speak to him and prevent his shooting, but none of
them woud say thing but shoot the damn'd Son of a Bitch,
That the aforesaid Willey came down out of the Loft, and
sundry other persons coming up, some Riding and Some
Running Some with Guns and some with Clubs; When
Willey called out give me a gun, and Sharp left his post and
delivered the Gun to Willey and said shoot the Damned Son
of a Bitch when Willy running past this deponant with the
Gun he spoke to him to Desist, and put by the Gun, by telling
him he thought Matters were agreed between him and
Outten, and that Outten was gone to get his Horse in order
to go away & Doubtless he would shoot the man in cold
blood: upon which he being something past this depon^t he
turned about and looked him full in the face for some time
when by his stand he first Expected he wou'd not shoot,