Jeb the Bastard

Jeb never learned that he was an illegitimate child. Those who knew him did not dare call him bastard. He was gentle. He was tough. With little effort, he took care of himself, having learned by being brought up in isolation, deep into the timber of the Ozark Mountains. Exhibiting these traits, he did both good and bad things, both of which tended to be excessive, even in the midst of war and lawlessness.