`What's wrong with that?' he demanded truculently.

empty words, or threats

Hugh MacGerrald, being duly sworn and examined, deposeth that he was apprehended by William Graeme, the Provost Marshal, who kept him seven days in his custody, tied with a handlock, and two several times the said Graham threatened to hang this examt. if he would not do service against Phelim MacPheagh, one time sending for a ladder, and another time shewing a tree, whereupon he would hang him and the ropes and withes, but the examt. making protestation of having no matter to lay to the said Phelim's charge did choose rather to suffer than to impeach him without a cause.

I tried to possess my soul in patience, and to forget how hungry I was.