 
 <prompt> CHAPTER XXI 

AGAINST TIME 

Dixon's prediction prove correct. Wen dem carry me go court di second time, dem neva get any news about Wilkins, and after more testimony wey no too important, dem adjourn di case again. Dis time, dem allow bail, and Boone and Rancher Gordon stand surety for me. Di last one no too get money, and like di rest of us, e don suffer serious losses recently. Dixon na di first person wey hail me wen I comot, somehow dey moody, as free man for now. 

"You no dey look cheerful or grateful as you suppose to be," e talk. 

"You dey wrong for one thing. I dey sincerely grateful for your efforts." 

Dixon, against tradition, hit me for shoulder. "So wetin dey do di cheerfulness?" 

"E no too make sense to get dis kind charge wey dey hang for person head indefinitely, and I don lose time wey I no fit recover," I talk. "Lane go bring im witness when e feel say e dey right, and e no dey encouraging to work when you dey think say you go spend long time for jail while your property dey spoil." 

"You think say Lane get hand for im disappearance?" Dixon ask thoughtfully; and when I nod, e talk: "I no too sure. My reasons no too strong, and human nature dey somehow; but I no sure say Wilkins go show face at all, if e fit avoid am. But for now, di dinner wey both of us dey invited go ginger you." <response>: 1. Dixon
2. E no sure
3. E no sure reach 100%
4. Dinner
5. Dixon's
6. Two
7. No news
8. Boone and Rancher Gordon
9. Boone and Rancher Gordon don suffer losses
10. Dixon 