Dixon and the Slave Driver

[Terrance]

Joanne Manees wrote:
> 
>         This is my favorite episode from the book, by the way.  (next favorite
> is the worm) The idea of Dixon, in his red coat, being a violent man is
> very interesting.  He certainly is manic.  I'm reminded of
> Dante/Aquinas' hot sins and cold sins (cold ones being worse and
> punished lower down in heck).  Mason has the black, melancholy humor and
> Dixon is choleric, but not in the classic "humourous" sense.  And yet
> Dixon consciously allies himself (sort of) with the peaceful Quakers.
> He certainly separates himself from the "middle way" of the Anglicans.

Sort of is exactly it. 

The joke that we come in on, the Rustick Joakery at 698.11 is
interesting. 

His Pistol? 

At first, Dixon's reply seems little more than a quip. They have been at
this all through the adventure so we know what they are "joaking" about.
But Dixon does carry a pistol. And one point in the adventure he is
prepared to use it. Against a man.