My uncle Ro said nothing, when the two tenants left us;
though I saw, by his countenance, that he felt all the absurdity
of the stuff we had just been listening to. We had
got within half a mile of the woods, when eight Injins came
galloping up to a wagon that was directly behind us, and
which contained another of my tenants, with his eldest son,
a lad of sixteen, whom he had brought with him as a scholar,
in having his sense of right unsettled by the selfish
mystification that was going on in the land; a species of
fatherly care that was of very questionable merit. I said
there were eight of these Injins, but there were only four
horses, each beast carrying double. No sooner did the
leaders of the party reach the wagon I have mentioned,
than it was stopped, and its owner was commanded to alight.
The man was a decided down-renter, but he obeyed the
order with a very ill grace; and did not obey at all, indeed,
until he was helped out of the wagon, by a little gentle

[figure description] Page 019.[end figure description]

violence of this fragment of his own corps d'armée. The
boy was soon put into the highway, when two of the “disguised
and armed” leaped into the vacant places, and drove
on, passing us at a furious pace, making a parting nod to
the owner of the vehicle, and consoling him for its temporary
loss, by calling out, “Injin want him — Injin good
fellow—you know.”

Whether the discomfited farmer knew or not, we could
not tell; but he looked as if he wished the Injins anywhere
but in their “happy hunting grounds.” We drove on
laughing, for it was in human nature to be amused at such
an exhibition of the compulsory system, or of “liberty and
equality carried out;” and more particularly so, when I
was certain that the “honest, hard-working, horny-hand
tiller of the soil,” wanted to cheat me out of a farm; or, to
put his case in the most favourable point of view, wanted
to compel me to sell him one at his own price. Nor did our
amusement stop here. Before we reached the woods, we
found Holmes and Tubbs in the highway, too; the other
two worthies who had been mounted en croupe having dispossessed
them of their wagon also, and told them to
“charge it to Injin.” We afterwards learned that this
practice was very general; the owner recovering his horse
and team, in the course of a few days, by hearing it had
been left, secretly, at some tavern within a few miles of his
residence. As for old Holmes, he was in an honest indignation
when we came up with him, while even Tubbs
looked soured and discontented, or as if he thought friends
were entitled to better treatment.

“Vhat ist der matter?” cried out uncle Ro, who could
hardly keep from laughing the whole time; “vhat ist der
matter now? Vhere might be your hantsome vaggin and
your gay horse?”

“It 's too bad! — yes, it 's eeny most too bad!” grunted
Holmes. “Here am I, past three-score-and-ten, which is
the full time of man, the bible says — and what the bible
says must be true, you know!—here have they trundled me
into the highway, as they would a sack of potatoes, and
left me to walk every step of four miles to reach my own
door! It 's too bad — it 's eeny most too bad!”

[figure description] Page 020.[end figure description]

“Oh! dat might be a trifle, compared to vhat it vould
be to haf peen drundelled out of your farm.”

“I know 't!—I know 't!—I understand!—it's all meant
for the good cause — to put down aristocracy, and make
men raa'ly equal, as the law intends them to be — but this,
I say, is eeny most too bad!”

“Und you so olt!”

“Seventy-six, if I 'm a day. My time can't be long, and
my legs is weak, they be. Yes, the bible says a man's
time is limited pretty much to three-score-and-ten—and I 'll
never stand out ag'in the bible.”

“Und vhat might der piple say apout vanting to haf
your neighpours' goots?”

“It cries that down dreadfully! Yes, there 's plenty of
that in the good book, I know from havin' heard it read—
ay, and havin' read it myself, these three-score years; it
doos cry it down, the most awfully. I shall tell the Injins
this, the next time they want my wagon. There's bible
ag'in all sich practices.”

“Der piple ist a goot pook.”

“That it is—that it is—and great is the consolation and
hope that I have known drawn from its pages. I'm glad to
find that they set store by the bible in Jarmany. I was
pretty much of the notion, we had most of the religion that's
goin', in Ameriky, and it's pleasant to find there is some
in Jarmany.”

All this time old Holmes was puffing along on foot, my
uncle Ro walking his horse, in order to enjoy his discourse.

“Oh! ja—ja, ja—dere might be some religion left in der
olt worlt—de puritans, as you might call dem, did not pring
it all away.”

“Desp'rate good people them! We got all our best sarcumstances
from our puritan forefathers. Some folks say
that all Ameriky has got, is owing to them very saints!”

“Ja—und if it bees not so, nefer mind; for dey will be
sartain to get all Ameriky.”

Holmes was mystified, but he kept tugging on, casting
wistful glances at our wagon, as he endeavoured to keep
up with it. Fearful we might trot on and leave him, the
old man continued the discourse. “Yes,” he said, “our
authority for everything must come from the bible, a'ter all.

[figure description] Page 021.[end figure description]

It tells us we hadn't ought to bear malice, and that's a rule
I endivour to act up to; for an old man, you see, can't
indulge his sinful natur' if he would. Now, I've been down
to Little Neest to attend a Down Rent Meetin',—but I bear
no more malice ag'in Hugh Littlepage, not I, no more than
if he wern't a bit of my landlord! All I want of him is my
farm, on such a lay as I can live by, and the b'ys a'ter me.
I look on it as dreadful hard and oppressive that the Littlepages
should refuse to let us have the place, seein' that I
have worked it now for the tarm of three whull lives.”

“Und dey agreet dat dey might sell you de farm, when
dem dree lifes wast up?”

“No, not in downright language they didn't, as I must
allow. In the way of bargain, I must own the advantage
is altogether on the side of Littlepage. That was his
grand'ther's act; and if you wun't drive quite so fast, as I'm
getting a little out of wind, I'll tell you all about it. That
is just what we complain on; the bargain being so much in
his favour. Now, my lives have hung on desp'rately,
haven't they, Shabbakuk?” appealing to Tubbs. “It's
every hour of forty-five years sin' I tuck that lease, and one
life, that of my old woman, is still in bein', as they call it,
though it's a sort of bein' that a body might as well not
have as have. She can't stand it a great while longer, and
then that farm that I set so much store by, out of which I've
made my livelihood most of my life, and on which I've
brought up fourteen children, will go out of my hands to
enrich Hugh Littlepage, who's got so much now he can't
spend it at hum like honest folks, but must go abroad, to
waste it in riotous living, as they tell us. Yes, onless the
governor and the legislature helps me out of my difficulty, I
don't see but Hugh Littlepage must get it all, making the
`rich richer, and the poor poorer.”'

“Und vhy must dis cruel ding come to pass? Vhy
might not mans keep his own in Ameriky?”

“That's jest it, you see. It isn't my own, in law, only
by natur', like, and the `speret of the Institutions,' as they
call it. I'm sure I don't kear much how I get it, so it only
comes. If the governor can only make the landlords sell,
or even give away, he may sartainly count on my support,

[figure description] Page 022.[end figure description]

providin' they don't put the prices too high. I hate high
prices, which is onsuitable to a free country.”

“Fery drue. I sooppose your lease might gif you
dat farm quite reasonaple, as it might be mate so long
ago?”

“Only two shillings the acre,” answered the old fellow,
with a knowing look, which as much as boasted of the
capital bargain he had in the affair, “or twenty-five dollars
a year for a hundred acres. That's no great matter, I'm
ready to allow; but my lives havin' held on so desp'rately,
until land's got up to forty dollars an acre about here, I
can't no more expect sich another lay than I can expect to
go to Congress. I can rent that place, to-morrow mornin',
for $150 of as good money as any man can pay.”

“Und how much might you expect 'squire Littlebage
woult ask on a new lease?”

“Some think as much as $62.50; though other some
think he would let it go to me for $50, for three lives longer.
The old gin'ral told me when he signed the lease that I was
gettin' a bargain, `but, niver mind,' said he, `if I give you
good tarms, `you'll make the better tenant, and I look to
posterity and their benefit as much as I do to my own. If
I don't get the advantage I might,' says he, `my children,
or my children's children, will. A man mustn't altogether
live for himself in this world, especially if he has children.'
Them was good idees, wasn't they?”

“You might not dink differently. Und, how moch woult
you love to bay for a deet of de farm?”

“Wa-a-l, there 's differences of opinion on that subject.
The most approved notion is, that Hugh Littlepage ought to
be made to give warrantees, with full covenants, as it 's called;
and covenants is all in all, in a deed, you know—”

“But might not be in a lease?” put in uncle Ro, somewhat
drily.

“That depinds—But, some say them deeds ought to be
given, if the tenants allow the landlords the worth of the
land, when the patentee got it, and interest down to the present
day. It does seem a desp'rate price to pay for land, to
give principal and interest, and to throw in all that has been
paid beside?”

[figure description] Page 023.[end figure description]

“Haf you made a calculation, to see vhat it might come
to?”

“Shabbakuk has—tell the gentleman, Shabbakuk, how
much you made it come to, the acre.”

Shabbakuk was a far deeper rogue than his neighbour
Holmes. The last was merely a man of selfish and narrow
views, who, from passing a long life with no other object
before him than that of scraping together property, had got
his mind completely ensnared in the meshes of this world's
net; whereas, his companion took the initiative, as the
French have it, in knavery, and not only carried out, but
invented the schemes of the wicked. He clearly did not
like this appeal to his arithmetic, but having no suspicion to
whom he was talking, and fancying every man in the lower
conditions of life must be an ally in a plan to make the “rich,
poorer; and the poor, richer;” he was a little more communicative
than might otherwise have been the case. After
reflecting a moment, he gave us his answer, reading from a
paper in his hand, on which the whole sum had been elaborately
worked for the occasion of the late meeting.

“The land was worth ten cents an acre, maybe, when
the first Littlepage got it, and that is a liberal price. Now,
that was eighty years since, for we don't count old Herman
Mordaunt's time, as anything; seeing that the land was
worth next to nothin', in his time. The interest on ten cents
at 7 per cent. is 7 mills a year, or 560 mills for 80 years.
This is without compound; compound being unlawful, and
nothin' ag'in law should be taken into the account. Add
the 10 cents to the 560 mills, and you get 660 mills, or
66 cents. Now this sum, or a sum calculated on the same
principles, all the tenants are willing to pay for their farms,[1]
and if justice prevails they will get them.”

“Dat seems but little to bay for landt dat might now rent
for a dollar an acre, each year.”

“You forgit that the Littlepages have had the rent these
eighty years, the whull time.”

[figure description] Page 024.[end figure description]

“Und de denants haf hat de farms dese eighty years, de
whole time, too.”

“Oh! we put the land ag'in the work. If my neighbour
Holmes, here, has had his farm forty-five years, so the farm
has had his work forty-five years, as an off-set. You may
depind on 't the governor and the legislature understand all
that.”

“If dey does,” answered Uncle Ro, whipping his horse
into a trot, “dey must be fit for deir high stations. It is
goot for a country to haf great governors, and great legisladurs.
Guten Tag.”

Away he went, leaving neighbour Holmes, Shabbakuk
Tubbs, the governor and legislature, with their joint morals,
wisdom, logic and philosophy, in the highway, together.
My uncle Ro shook his head, and then he laughed, as the
absurdity of what had just passed forced itself on his imagination.

I dare say many may be found, who have openly professed
principles and opinions identical, in substance, with
what has just been related here, who will be disposed to
deny them, when they are thrown into their faces. There
is nothing unusual in men's refusing to recognise their own
children, when they are ashamed of the circumstances that
brought them into being. But, in the course of this controversy,
I have often heard arguments in discourse, and have
often read them in the journals, as they have been put into
the mouths of men in authority, and that too in their public
communications, which, stripped of their very thin coverings,
are pretty much on the level with those of Holmes and Tubbs.
I am aware that no governor has, as yet, alluded to the hard-ships
of the tenants, under the limited leases, but it would
be idle to deny that the door has been opened to principles,
or, a want of principles, that must sweep away all such
property in the current of reckless popular clamour, unless
the evil be soon arrested. I say evil, for it must prove a
curse to any community to break down the securities of
property, as it is held in what has hitherto been thought its
most secure form, and, what is still of more importance in a
moral point of view, all to appease the cravings of cupidity,
as they are exhibited in the masses.

We were soon out of sight of Holmes and Tubbs, and in

[figure description] Page 025.[end figure description]

the woods. I confess that I expected, each instant, to overtake
Hall in the hands of the Injins; for the movement
among that class of persons had appeared to me as one directed
particularly against him. We saw nothing of the
sort, however, and had nearly reached the northern limits
of the bit of forest, when we came in sight of the two
wagons which had been so cavalierly taken possession of,
and of the two horses ridden by the mounted men. The
whole were drawn up on one side of the highway, under the
charge of a single Injin, in a manner to announce that we
were approaching a point of some interest.

My uncle and myself fully expected to be again stopped,
as we drove up to the place just mentioned; not only was
the track of the road left clear, however, but we were suffered
to pass without a question. All the horses had been
in a lather, as if driven very hard; though, otherwise, there
was nothing to indicate trouble, if we except the presence
of the solitary sentinel. From this fellow, neither sign, nor
order molested us; but on we went, at Tom Miller's horse's
favourite amble, until we were so near the verge of the
wood, as to get a view into the open fields beyond. Here,
indeed, we obtained a sight of certain movements that, I
confess, gave me some little concern.

Among the bushes that lined the highway, and which
have been already mentioned, I got a glimpse of several of
the “disguised and armed,” who were evidently lying in
ambush. Their number might have been twenty in all;
and, it was now sufficiently apparent, that those who had
pressed the wagons had been hurrying forward to re-enforce
their party. At this point, I felt quite certain we should
be stopped; but we were not. We were suffered to pass
without question, as we had just passed the wagons and
horses, though it must have been known to the party that
we were fully aware of their presence at that particular
spot. But, on we went, and were soon, unmolested, in the
open country.

It was not long, however, before the mystery was explained.
A road descended from the higher ground, which
lay to the westward of us, a little on our left, and a party
of men was coming down it, at a quick walk, which, at
the first glance, I mistook for a detachment of the Injins;

[figure description] Page 026.[end figure description]

but which, at a second look, I ascertained to be composed
of Indians, or real red men. The difference between the
two is very great, as every American will at once admit,
though many who read this manuscript will be obliged to
me for an explanation. There is “Indian” and “Injin.”
The Injin is a white man, who, bent on an unworthy and
illegal purpose, is obliged to hide his face, and to perform
his task in disguise. The Indian is a red man, who is neither
afraid, nor ashamed, to show his countenance, equally
to friend or enemy. The first is the agent of designing
demagogues, the hireling of a discontented and grasping
spirit, who mocks at truth and right by calling himself one
who labours to carry out “the spirit of those Institutions”
which he dishonours and is afraid to trust; while the other
serves himself only, and is afraid of nothing. One is skulking
from, and shirking the duties of civilization, while the
other, though a savage, is, at least, true to his own professions.

There they were, sure enough, a party of some sixteen
or eighteen of the real aborigines. It is not an uncommon
thing to meet with an Indian, or two, strolling about the
country selling baskets — formerly it was brooms of birch,
but the march of improvement has nearly banished so rude
a manufacture from the country—with a squaw, or two, in
company; but it is now very unusual to meet a true Indian
warrior in the heart of the State, carrying his rifle and
tomahawk, as was the case with all those who were so
swiftly descending the road. My uncle Ro was quite as
much astonished as I was myself; and he pulled up at the
junction of the two highways, in order to await the arrival
of the strangers.

“These are real Redskins, Hugh—and of a noble tribe,”
cried my uncle, as a still nearer approach gave him a better
and better view. “Warriors of the West, out of all question,
with one white man in attendance—what can such a party
possibly want at Ravensnest!”

“Perhaps the anti-renters intend to enlarge their plans,
and have a scheme to come out upon us, with an alliance
formed with the true sons of the forest—may they not intend
intimidation?”

“Whom could they thus intimidate, but their own wives

[figure description] Page 027.[end figure description]

and children? But, here they come, in a noble body, and
we can speak to them.”

There they did come, indeed; seventeen of the finer specimens
of the Redskins, as they are now sometimes seen passing
among us in bodies, moving to or from their distant
prairies; for the white man has already forced the Indian,
with the bears, and the elk, and the moose, out of the forests
of America, upon those vast plains.

What is to be the end of the increase of this nation, is one
of the mysteries of Divine Providence. If faithful to the
right, if just, not in the sense of yielding to the clamours of
the many, but in the sense of good laws, if true to themselves,
the people of this republic may laugh at European
interference and European power, when brought to bear on
their home interests, as so much of the lumbering policy of
ages no longer suited to the facts and feelings of our own
times, and push on to the fulfilment of a destiny, which, if
carried out on the apparent designs of the ruler of the earth,
will leave that of all other States which have preceded us,
as much in the shade, as the mountain leaves the valley. But,
it must not be forgotten that the brightest dawns often usher
in the darkest days; that the most brilliant youths frequently
precede manhoods of disappointment and baffled wishes;
that even the professed man of God can fall away from his
vows and his faith, and finish a career that was commenced
in virtue and hope, in profligacy and sin. Nations are no
more safe from the influence of temptation than individuals,
and this has a weakness peculiarly its own. Instead of falling
back on its popular principle, in extremities, as its infallible
safeguard, it is precisely in the irresponsible and grasping
character of that principle that its danger is to be apprehended.
That principle, which, kept within the limits of
right, is so admirably adapted to restraining the ordinary
workings of cupidity and selfishness, as they are familiarly
seen in narrow governments, when permitted to overrun the
boundaries placed for its control, becomes a torrent that has
broken out of its icy bed, in the Spring, and completely defaces
all that is beneficial or lovely, in either nature or art,
that may happen to lie in its course. As yet, the experience
of two centuries has offered nothing so menacing to
the future prosperity of this country, as the social

[figure description] Page 028.[end figure description]

fermentation which is at this moment at work, in the State of New
York. On the result of this depends the solution of the allimportant
question, whether principles are to rule this republic,
or men; and these last, too, viewed in their most vulgar
and repulsive qualities, or as the mere creatures of self, instead
of being the guardians and agents of that which ought
to be. It is owing to this state of things, that we have already
seen a legislature occupied with discussing the modes
of evading the provisions of its own laws, and men who
ought to stand before the world, stern and uncompromising
in their public morals, manifesting a most pernicious ingenuity
in endeavouring to master and overreach each other
in wielding the arts of the demagogue.

As the Indians entered the north and south road, or that
in which we had stopped, the whole party came to a halt,
with characteristic courtesy, as if to meet our wish to speak
to them. The foremost of the band, who was also the oldest,
being a man of sixty, if not older, nodded his head, and uttered
the usual conventional salutation of “Sago, sago.”

“Sago,” said my uncle, and “Sago” put in I.

“How do?” continued the Indian, who we now discovered
spoke English. “What call this country?”

“This is Ravensnest. The village of Little Nest is about
a mile and a half on the other side of that wood.”

The Indian now turned, and in his deep guttural tones
communicated this intelligence to his fellows. The information
obviously was well received, which was as much as
saying that they had reached the end of their journey. Some
conversation next succeeded, delivered in brief, sententious
remarks, when the old chief again turned to us. I call him
chief, though it was evident that the whole party was composed
of chiefs. This was apparent by their medals, their
fine appearance generally, and by their quiet, dignified, not
to say lofty, bearing. Each of them was in a light summer
attire, wearing the moccasin and leggings, &c.; the calico
shirt, or a thin blanket, that was cast around the upper part
of the person, much as the Roman may be supposed to have
worn his toga; all carrying the rifle, the bright, well-scoured
tomahawk, and the sheathed knife. Each, too, had his horn
and his bullet-pouch, and some of the more youthful were a
little elaborate in their ornaments, in the way of feathers,

[figure description] Page 029.[end figure description]

and such presents as they had received on their long journey.
Not one of them all, however, was painted.

“This Raven-nest, eh?” continued the old chief, speaking
directly, but with sufficient courtesy.

“As I have said. The village lies on the other side of
that wood; the house from which the name is taken is a
mile and a half in the other direction.”

This, too, was translated, and a low, but general expression
of pleasure was given.

“Any Injins 'bout here, eh?” demanded the chief, looking
so earnestly at the same time as to surprise us both.

“Yes,” answered my uncle. “There are Injins—a party
is in the edge of the wood, there, within thirty rods of you,
at this moment.”

With great rapidity this fact was communicated to the
eager listeners, and there was a sensation in the party,
though it was a sensation betrayed as such feelings are only
betrayed among the aborigines of this part of the world;
quietly, reservedly, and with a coldness amounting nearly
to indifference. We were amused, however, at noting how
much more interest this news awakened than would probably
have been excited had these red-men been told a town
like London was on the other side of the wood. As children
are known to feel most interest in children, so did these
children of the forest seem to be most alive to an interest in
these unexpected neighbours, brethren of the same habits
and race, as they unquestionably imagined. After some
earnest discourse among themselves, the old chief, whose
name turned out to be Prairiefire, once more addressed
himself to us.

“What tribe, eh? Know tribe?”

“They are called Anti-rent Injins—a new tribe in this
part of the country, and are not much esteemed.”

“Bad Injin, eh?”

“I am afraid so. They are not honest enough to go in
paint, but wear shirts over their faces.”

Another long and wondering conference succeeded. It
is to be supposed that such a tribe as that of the Anti-renters
was hitherto unknown among the American savages. The
first intelligence of the existence of such a people would
naturally awaken great interest, and we were soon required

[figure description] Page 030.[end figure description]

to show them the way to the spot where this unheard of
tribe might be found. This was going somewhat further
than my uncle had anticipated, but he was not a man to beat
a retreat when he had once undertaken an enterprise. After
a short deliberation with himself, he signified his assent;
and alighting from our wagon, we fastened Tom Miller's
horse to a stake of one of the fences, and set off, on foot, as
guides to our new brethren, in seeking the great tribe of the
Anti-renters! We had not gone half the distance to the
woods before we met Holmes and Tubbs, who, getting a
cast in another wagon, until they reached the place where
their own vehicle was stationed, had recovered that, and
were now on their way home, apprehensive that some new
freak of their great allies might throw them out into the
highway again. This wagon, our own excepted, was the
only one that had yet emerged from the wood, the owners
of some twenty others preferring to remain in the back-ground
until the development of the meeting between the
tribes should occur.

“What, in natur', does all this mean?” exclaimed old
Holmes, as we approached him, reining in his horse, for the
purposes of a conference. “Is the governor sending out
ra-al Injins ag'in' us, in order to favour the landlords?”

This was taking a harsh and most uncharitable view of
the course of the governor, for an anti-renter; but that functionary
having made the capital blunder of serving, altogether,
neither “God nor Mammon” in this great question,
must expect to take it right and left, as neither God nor
Mammon will be very likely to approve of his course.

“Vell, I don't know,” was my uncle's answer. “Dese
ist ra-al red-men, und dem younder ist ra-al Injins, dat's
all. Vhat might bring dese warriors here, joost now, you
must ask of demselves, if you wants to l'arn.”

“There can be no harm in asking; I 'am no way skeary
about redskins, having seen 'em often, and my father fit 'em
in his day, as I 've heern him tell. Sago, Sago.”

“Sago,” answered Prairiefire, with his customary courtesy.

“Where, in natur', do you red-men all come from, and
where can ye be goin'?”

It was apparent that Holmes belonged to a school that

[figure description] Page 031.[end figure description]

never hesitated about putting any question; and that would
have an answer, if an answer was to be got. The old chief
had probably met with such pale-faces before, the untrained
American being certainly among the most diligent of all the
human beings of that class. But, on the other hand, the
red-man regards the indulgence of a too eager curiosity as
womanish, and unworthy of the self-command and dignity
of a warrior. The betraying of surprise, and the indulgence
of a curiosity fit only for squaws, were two things that Prairiefire
had doubtless been early told were unworthy of his
sex; for to some such in-and-in breeding alone could be
referred the explanation of the circumstance that neither
Holmes' manner, address, nor language, caused in him the
least expression of emotion. He answered the questions,
however, and that with a coldness that seemed of proof.

“Come from setting sun — been to see Great Father, at
Washington — go home,” was the sententious reply.

“But, how come ye to pass by Ravensnest?—I 'm afeared
the governor, and them chaps at Albany, must have a hand
in this, Shabbakuck?”

What Shabbakuck thought of the “governor, and them
chaps at Albany” is not known, as he did not see fit to
make any reply. His ordinary propensity to meddle was
probably awed by the appearance of these real Redskins.

“I say, why do ye come this-a-way?” Holmes continued,
repeating his question. “If you 've been to Washington,
and found him to hum (Anglice, `at home'), why didn't ye
go back by the way ye come?”

“Come here to find Injin; got no Injin here, eh?”

“Injin? why, of one sort we 've got more of the critturs
than a body can very well git along with. Of what colour
be the Injins you want to find? — Be they of the pale-face
natur', or be they red like yourselves?”

“Want to find red-man. He ole, now; like top of dead
hemlock, wind blow t'rough his branches till leaf all fall
off.”

“By George, Hugh,” whispered my uncle, “these red-skins
are in search of old Susquesus!” Then entirely forgetting
the necessity of maintaining his broken English in
the presence of his two Ravensnest listeners, Shabbakuck
Tubbs, in particular, he turned, somewhat inconsiderately

[figure description] Page 032.[end figure description]

for one of his years, to the Prairiefire, and hastily remarked—

“I can help you in your search. You are looking for a
warrior of the Onondagoes; one who left his tribe a hundred
summers ago, a red-man of great renown for finding
his path in the forest, and who would never taste fire-water.
His name is Susquesus.”

Until this moment, the only white man who was in company
with this strange party — strange at least in our portion
of the State of New York, though common enough,
perhaps, on the great thoroughfares of the country—broke
silence. This man was an ordinary interpreter, who had
been sent with the party in case of necessity; but being little
more acquainted with the ways of civilization than those
whom he was to guide, he had prudently held his tongue
until he saw that he might be of some use. We afterwards
learned that the sub-agent who had accompanied the chiefs
to Washington, had profited by the wish of the Indians to
pay their passing homage to the “Withered Hemlock, that
still stands,” as they poetically called Susquesus in their
own dialects—for Indians of several tribes were present—to
pay a visit to his own relatives in Massachusetts, his presence
not being deemed necessary in such a purely pious
pilgrimage.

“You 're right,” observed the interpreter. “These chiefs
have not come to look up any tribe, but there are two of
the ancient Onondagoes among them, and their traditions
tell of a chief, called Susquesus, that has outlived everything
but tradition; who left his own people long, long ago,
and who left a great name behind him for vartue, and that
is a thing a red-skin never forgets.”

“And all these warriors have come fifty miles out of their
way, to pay this homage to Susquesus?”

“Such has been their wish, and I asked permission of the
Bureau at Washington, to permit them to come. It costs
Uncle Sam $50 or a $100 more than it otherwise might,
but such a visit will do all the warriors of the West a million
of dollars of good; no men honour right and justice
more than redskins, though it 's in their own fashion.”

“I am sure Uncle Sam has acted no more than right-eously,
as I hope he always may act as respects these

[figure description] Page 033.[end figure description]

people. Susquesus is an old friend of mine, and I will lead
you to him.”

“And who in natur' be you?” demanded Holmes, his curiosity
starting off on a new track.

“Who am I? — You shall know who I am,” answered
uncle Ro, removing his wig, an action that I imitated on
the spot, — “I am Roger Littlepage, the late trustee of this
estate, and this is Hugh Littlepage, its owner.” Old
Holmes was good pluck in most matters; of far better stuff
at the bottom, than the sneaking, snivelling, prating demagogue
at his side; but by this discovery he was dumbfounded!
He looked at my uncle, then he looked at me;
after which, he fastened a distressed and inquiring gaze on
Shabbakuck. As for the Indians, notwithstanding their habitual
self-command, a common “hugh!” was uttered among
them, when they saw two men, as it might be, thus scalping
themselves. Uncle Ro was excited, and his manner was,
in the least degree, theatrical, as with one hand he removed
his cap, and with the other his wig; holding the last, with
an extended arm, in the direction of the Indians. As a red-man
is rarely guilty of any act of rudeness, unless he mean
to play the brute in good earnest, it is possible that the
Chippewa towards whom the hand which held the wig was
extended, mistook the attitude for an invitation to examine
that curious article, for himself. It is certain he gently
forced it from my uncle's grasp, and, in the twinkling of an
eye, all the savages were gathered round it, uttering many,
but low and guarded expressions of surprise. Those men
were all chiefs, and they restrained their astonishment at
this point. Had there been any of the ignoble vulgar among
them, there is little doubt that the wig would have passed
from hand to hand, and been fitted to a dozen heads, already
shaved to receive it.

CHAPTER III.

The Gordon is gude in a hurry,
An' Campbell is steel to the bane;
An' Grant, an' Mackenzie, an' Murray,
An' Cameron will truckle to nane.”
Hogg.

[figure description] Page 034.[end figure description]

The interruption of this scene came from old Holmes, who
cried to his companion, on the high key in which it was
usual for him to speak:—

“This is downright bad, Shabbakuk — we'll never get
our leases a'ter this!”

“Nobody can say”—answered Tubbs, giving a loud hem,
as if determined to brazen the matter out. “Maybe the
gentleman will be glad to compromise the matter. It's
ag'in law, I believe, for any one to appear on the highway
disguised—and both the 'Squire Littlepages, you'll notice,
neighbour Holmes, be in the very middle of the road, and
both was disguised, only a minute ago.”

“That's true.—D'ye think anything can be got out o'
that? I want profitable proceedin's.”

Shabbakuk gave another hem, looked behind him, as if
to ascertain what had become of the Injins, for he clearly
did not fancy the real `article' before him, and then he answered:

“We may get our farms, neighbour Holmes, if you'll
agree, as I'm willin' to do, to be reasonable about this matter,
so long as 'Squire Littlepage wishes to hearken to his
own interests.”

My uncle did not deign to make any answer, but, knowing
we had done nothing to bring us within the view of the
late statute, he turned towards the Indians, renewing his
offer to them to be their guide.

“The chiefs want very much to know who you are, and
how you two came by double scalps,” said the interpreter,
smiling like one who understood for his own part, the nature
of a wig very well.

[figure description] Page 035.[end figure description]

“Tell them that this young gentleman is Hugh Littlepage,
and that I am his uncle. Hugh Littlepage is the
owner of the land that you see on every side of you.”

The answer was communicated, and we waited for its
effect on the Indians. To our surprise, several of them soon
gathered around, evidently regarding us both, with interest
and respect.

“The claims of a landlord seem to be better understood
among these untutored savages, than among your own
tenants, Hugh,” said my uncle. “But there goes old
Holmes, the inbred rogue, and his friend Shabbakuk, back
to the woods; we may have an affair on hand with his
Injins.”

“I think not, sir. It does not appear to me that there is
valour enough in that tribe, to face this. In general, the
white man is fully a match for the redskin; but it may be
doubted whether chiefs like these, would not prove too much
for twice their number of varlets, of the breed of yonder
skulking scoundrels.”

“Why do the chiefs manifest so much interest in us?”
asked my uncle, of the interpreter. “Is it possible that they
pay so much respect to us, on account of our connection
with this estate?”

“Not at all—not at all. They know the difference between
a chief and a common man well enough, it is true,”
was the answer; “and twenty times, as we have come
down through the country, have they expressed their surprise
to me, that so many common men should be chiefs,
among the pale-faces; but, they care nothing for riches.
He is the greatest man among them, who is best on a war
path, and at a council-fire; though they do honour them
that has had great and useful ancestors.”

“But, they seem to betray some unusual and extraordinary
interest in us, too; perhaps they are surprised at seeing
gentlemen in such dresses?”

“Lord, sir, what do men care for dresses, that are used
to see the heads of factories and forts, half the time dressed
in skins. They know that there be holidays and vorkin'days;
times for every-day wear, and times for feathers and
paint. No—no—they look at you both, with so much interest,
on account of their traditions.”

[figure description] Page 036.[end figure description]

“Their traditions! What can these have to do with us?
We have never had anything to do with Indians.”

“That's true of you, and may be true of your fathers;
but it's not true of some of your ancestors. Yesterday, after
we had got to our night's stopping-place, two of the chiefs,
this smallish man with the double plate on his breast, and
that elderly warrior, who has been once scalped, as you can
see by his crown, began to tell of some of the treacheries of
their own tribe, which was once a Canada people. The
elderly chief related the adventures of a war-path, that led
out of Canada, across the large waters, down to a settlement
where they expected to get a great many scalps, but
where in the end they lost more scalps than they found;
and where they met Susquesus, the upright Onondago, as
they call him in that tongue, as well as the Yengeese owner
of the land, at this very spot, whom they called by a name
something like your own, who was a warrior of great courage
and skill by their traditions. They suppose you to be
the descendants of the last, and honour you accordingly;
that's all.”

“And, is it possible that these untutored beings have traditions
as reliable as this?”

“Lord, if you could hear what they say among themselves,
about the lies that are read to them out of the pale-face
prints, you would I'arn how much store they set by
truth! In my day, I have travelled through a hundred
miles of wilderness, by a path that was no better, nor any
worse, than an Indian tradition of its manner of running;
and a tradition that must have been, at least, a hundred
summers old. They know all about your forefathers, and
they know something about you, too, if you be the gentleman
that finds the upright Onondago, or the Withered Hemlock,
in his old age, with a wigwam, and keeps it filled with food
and fuel.”

“Is this possible! And all this is spoken of, and known
among the savages of the Far West?”

“If you call these chiefs, savages,” returned the interpreter,
a little offended at hearing such a term applied to his
best friends and constant associates. “To be sure they
have their ways, and so have the pale-faces; but Injin ways
be not so very savage, when a body gets a little used to

[figure description] Page 037.[end figure description]

them. Now, I remember it was a long time before I could
get reconciled to seeing a warrior scalp his enemy; but as I
reasoned on it, and entered into the spirit of the practice, I
began to feel it was all right.”

I was walking just in front of my uncle, for we were in
motion again on our way to the wood, but could not help
turning and saying to him with a smile—

“So it would seem that this matter of the `spirit' is to
be found in other places besides the legislature. There is
the `spirit of scalping,' as well as the `spirit of the institutions!”
'

“Ay, Hugh, and the `spirit of fleecing,' as a consequence
of what is profanely termed the last. But, it may be well
to go no nearer to the wood, than this spot. The Injins I
have told you of are in these bushes in front, and they are
armed — I leave you to communicate with them in any manner
you please. They are about twenty in number.”

The interpreter informed his chiefs of what had been said,
who spoke together in earnest consultation for a moment.
Then Prairiefire, himself, plucked a branch off the nearest
bush, and holding it up he advanced close to the cover, and
called out aloud, in some one, or in many of the different
dialects with which he was acquainted. I saw by the
moving of their branches, that men were in the bushes; but
no answer of any sort was made. There was one savage
in our band, who betrayed manifest impatience at these
proceedings. He was a large, athletic Iowa chief, called in
English Flintyheart, and, as we subsequently learned, of great
renown for martial exploits. It was always difficult to hold
him in, when there was a prospect of scalps, and he was
now less restrained than common, from the circumstance of
his having no superior of his own particular tribe present.
After Prairiefire had called two or three times in vain to the
party in the cover, Flintyhead stepped out, spoke a few
words, with energy and spirit, terminating his appeal by a
most effective, not to say appalling, whoop. That sound
was echoed back by most of the band, when they all broke
off, right and left, stealing more like snakes than bipeds to
the fences, under cover of which they glanced forward to
the wood, in which every man of them buried himself, in the
twinkling of an eye In vain had the interpreter called to

[figure description] Page 038.[end figure description]

them, to remind them where they were, and to tell them
that they might displease their Great Father, at Washington;
and Prairiefire stood his ground, exposed to any shot the
supposed foe might send at him; on they went, like so many
hounds that have struck a scent too strong to be held in restraint
by any whipper-in.

“They expect to find Injins,” said the interpreter, in a
sort of despair, “and there's no holdin' 'em back. There
can be no enemies of their'n down here-a-way, and the agent
will be awfully angry if blood is drawn; though I shouldn't
mind it a bit if the party was some of them scoundrels, the
Sauks and Foxes, whom it 's often a marcy to kill. It 's
different down here, however, and I must say I wish this
hadn't happened.”

My uncle and myself just waited long enough to hear
this, when we rushed forward, along the highway, and entered
the wood, joined by Prairiefire, who, fancying by our
movement that all was right, now raised such a whoop himself
as to demonstrate it was not for want of `knowing how'
that he had hitherto been silent. The road made a curve
at the very point where it penetrated the forest, and being
fringed with the bushes already mentioned, the two circumstances
shut out the view of what was passing behind the
scenes, until we reached the turn, where a common halt of
the wagons had been made, when the whole view burst
upon us at once in all its magnificence.

A rout of a `grand army' could scarcely have been more
picturesque! The road was lined with vehicles, in full
retreat, to use a military term, or, to speak in the more
common parlance, scampering off. Every whip was in
active use, every horse was on the run, whilst half the
faces were turned behind their owners, the women sending
back screams to the whoops of the savages. As for the
Injins, they had instinctively abandoned the woods, and
poured down into the highway, speed like theirs demanding
open ground for its finest display. Some had leaped into
wagons, piling themselves up among those virtuous wives
and daughters of that portion of the honest yeomanry who
had collected to devise the means of cheating me out of my
property. But, why dwell on this scene, since the exploits
of these Injins, for the last six years, have amply proved

[figure description] Page 039.[end figure description]

that the only thing in which they excel, is in running away.
They are heroes when a dozen can get round a single man
to tar and feather him; valiant as a hundred against five or
six, and occasionally murderers, when each victim can be
destroyed by five or six bullets, to make sure of him. The
very cowardice of the scoundrels should render them loathsome
to the whole community; the dog that has spirit only
to hunt in packs being cur at the bottom.

I must add one other object to the view, however. Holmes
and Shabbakuk brought up the rear, and both were flogging
their devoted beast as if his employers—I dare not call them
masters,' as I might be accused of aristocracy for using so
offensive a term in this age of common-sense liberty, while
`employers' is a very significant expression for the particular
occasion—as if his `employers,' then, had left something
behind them, at `Little Neest,' and were hurrying
back to obtain it before it fell into other hands. Old Holmes
kept looking behind, as if chased by the covenants of forty
leases, while the “Spirit of the Institutions,” headed by two
governors, and “the honourable gentleman from Albany,”
was in full pursuit. If the “Spirit of the Institutions” was
really there, it was quite alone; for I looked in vain for the
exhibition of any other spirit. In much less time than it has
taken me to write this account, the road was cleared, leaving
my uncle, myself, and Prairiefire, in quiet possession; the
latter uttering a very significant “hugh!” as the last wagon
went out of sight in a cloud of dust.

It was but a moment, however, before our own tribe, or
tribes would be more accurate, came down upon us, collecting
in the road at the very spot where we stood. The victory
had been bloodless, but it was complete. Not only had
the savage Indians completely routed the virtuous and muchoppressed-by-aristocracy
Injins, but they had captured two
specimens of virtue and depression in the persons of as
many of the band. So very significant and expressive was
the manner of the captives, that Flintyheart, into whose
hands they had fallen, not only seemed to hold their scalps
in contempt, but actually had disdained to disarm them.
There they stood, bundles of calico, resembling children in
swaddling-clothes, with nothing partaking of that natural
freedom of which their party love to boast, but their legs,

[figure description] Page 040.[end figure description]

which were left at perfect liberty, by way of a dernier resort.
My uncle now assumed a little authority, and commanded
these fellows to take off their disguises. He might
as well have ordered one of the oaks, or maples, to lay down
its leaves before the season came round; for neither would
obey.

The interpreter, however, whose name was Manytongues,
rendered into English from the Indian dialects, was a man
of surprisingly few words, considering his calling, on an
occasion like this. Walking up to one of the prisoners, he
first disarmed him, and then removed his calico hood, exposing
the discomfited countenance of Brigham, Tom Miller's
envious labourer. The “hughs!” that escaped the
Indians were very expressive, on finding that not only did
a pale-face countenance appear from beneath the covering,
but one that might be said to be somewhat paler than common.
Manytongues had a good deal of frontier waggery
about him, and, by this time he began to comprehend how
the land lay. Passing his hand over Josh's head, he coolly
remarked—

“That scalp would be thought more of, in Iowa, than it's
ra-ally worth, I'm thinking, if truth was said. But let us
see who we have here.”

Suiting the action to the words, as it is termed, the interpreter
laid hold of the hood of the other captive, but did not
succeed in removing it without a sharp struggle. He effected
his purpose, assisted by two of the younger chiefs, who
stepped forward to aid him. I anticipated the result, for I
had early recognised the goar; but great was the surprise
of my uncle when he saw Seneca Newcome's well-known
face developed by the change!

Seneca—or, it might be better now to use his own favourite
orthoepy, and call him Seneky, at once, for he had a
particularly sneaking look as the emerged from under the
calico, and this would be suiting the sound to appearances—
Seneky, then, was in a “mingled tumult,” as it is called,
of rage and shame. The first predominated, however, and,
as is only too common in cases of military disasters, instead
of attributing his capture to circumstances, the prowess of
his enemies, or any fault of his own, he sought to mitigate his
own disgrace by heaping disgrace on his comrade. Indeed,

[figure description] Page 041.[end figure description]

the manner in which these men went at each other, as
soon as unsacked, reminded me of two game cocks that are
let out of their bags within three feet of each other, with this
exception — neither crowed.

“This is all your fault, you cowardly dog,” said Seneky,
almost fiercely, for shame had filled his face with blood.
“Had you kept on your feet, and not run me down, in your
haste to get off, I might have retreated, and got clear with
the rest of them.”

This assault was too much for Joshua, who gained spirit
to answer by its rudeness and violence, not to say injustice;
for, as we afterwards ascertained, Newcome had actually
fallen in his eagerness to retreat; and Brigham, so far
from being the cause of his coming down, had only prevented
his getting up, by falling on top of him. In this
prostrate condition they had further fallen into the hands of
their enemies.

“I want nothin' from you, 'Squire Newcome,” answered
Joshua, quite decidedly as to tone and manner; “your cha
racter is well known, all up and down the country.”

“What of my character? — What have you got to say
ag'in' me or my character?” demanded the attorney at law,
in a tone of high defiance. “I want to see the man who
can say anything ag'in' my character.”

This was pretty well, considering that the fellow had actually
been detected in the commission of a felony; though
I suppose that difficulty would have been gotten over, in a
moral sense, by the claim of being taken while struggling
in defence of human rights, and the “spirit of the institutions.”
The defiance was too much for Brigham's patience,
and being fully assured, by this time, that he was not in
much danger of being scalped, he turned upon Seneca, and
cried, with something more than spirit, with downright rancour—

“You're a pretty fri'nd of the poor man, and of the
people, if truth must be said, an't you? Everybody in the
county that's in want of money knows what you be, you
d—d shaver.”

As the last words came out, Seneky's fist went in upon
Brigham's nose, causing the blood to flow freely. My uncle

[figure description] Page 042.[end figure description]

Ro now thought it time to interfere, and he rebuked the
irritated lawyer with dignity.

“Why did he call me a d—d shaver, then?” retorted
Seneky, still angry and red. “I'll stand that from no
man.”

“Why, what harm can there be in such a charge, Mr.
Newcome? You are a member of the bar, and ought to
understand the laws of your country, and cannot stand in
need of being told that it has been decided by the highest
tribunal of your State that it is no reproach to be called a
shaver! Some of the honourable members of that learned
body, indeed, seem to think, on the contrary, that it is matter
of commendation and congratulation. I am ashamed of
you, Mr. Newcome—I'm quite ashamed of you.”

Seneky muttered something, in which I fancied I understood
the words “the Court of Errors be d—d,” or “the
Court of Errors” might go to some very bad place, which
I will not name; but I will not take on myself that any
man of decency could really use such irreverent language
about a body so tru y eminent, though a person in a passion
is sometimes disposed to forget propriety. My uncle now
thought it time to put an end to this scene; and, without
deigning to enter into any explanations, he signified to Manytongues
his readiness to lead his chiefs to the point where
they desired to go.

“As to these two Injins,” he added, “their capture will
do us no honour; and now we know who they are, they can
be taken at any time by the deputy sheriffs or constables.
It is hardly worth while to encumber your march with such
fellows.”

The chiefs assented to this proposal, too, and we quitted
the woods in a body, leaving Seneky and Joshua on the
ground. As we subsequently learned, our backs were no
sooner turned, than the last pitched into the first, and
pounded him not only until he owned he was “a shaver,”
but that he was “a d—d shaver” in the bargain. Such
was the man, and such the class, that the deluded anti-renters
of New York wish to substitute, in a social sense,
for the ancient landlords of the country! A pretty top-sheaf
they would make to the stack of the community, and

[figure description] Page 043.[end figure description]

admirably would the grain be kept that was protected by
their covering! One would like to see fellows of this moral
calibre interpreting their covenants; and it would be a useful,
though a painful lesson, to see the change effected for a
twelvemonth, in order to ascertain, after things had got back
into the old natural channel, how many would then wish to
“return, like the dog to his vomit, or the sow to her wallowing
in the mire.”

After giving some directions to Manytongues, my uncle
and I got into our wagon and drove up the road, leaving the
Indians to follow. The rendezvous was at the Nest, whither
we had now determined to proceed at once, and assume our
proper characters. In passing the rectory we found time
to stop and run in, to inquire after the welfare of Mr. and
Miss Warren. Great was my joy at learning they had
gone on to the Nest, where they were all to dine. This
intelligence did not tend to lessen the speed of Miller's horse,
or my horse it would be better to say, for I am the real
owner of everything on the Nest Farm, and shall probably
so remain, unless the “spirit of the Institutions” gets at my
property there, as well as in other places. In the course
of half an hour we drove on the lawn, and stopped at the
door. It will be recollected that the Indians had our wigs,
which had been left by my uncle and myself in their hands,
as things of no further use to us. Notwithstanding our
dresses, the instant we presented ourselves without these
instruments of disguise we were recognized, and the cry
went through the house and grounds that “Mr. Hugh had
come home!” I confess I was touched with some signs of
interest and feeling that escaped the domestics, as well as
those who belonged out of doors, when they saw me again
standing before them in health, if not in good looks. My
uncle, too, was welcome; and there were a few minutes
during which I forgot all my grounds for vexation, and
was truly happy.

Although my grandmother, and sister, and Mary Warren,
all knew what the cry of “Mr. Hugh has got home”
meant, it brought everybody out upon the piazza. Mr.
Warren had related the events of the day, as far as he was
acquainted with them; but even those who were in the secret,
were surprised at our thus returning unwigged, and in

[figure description] Page 044.[end figure description]

our proper characters. As for myself, I could not but note
the manner in which the four girls came out to meet me.
Martha flew into my embrace, cast her arms around my
neck, kissing me six or eight times without stopping. Then
Miss Colebrooke came next, with Ann Marston leaning on
her arm, both smiling, though greatly surprised, and both
bright, and pretty, and lady-like. They were glad to see
me, and met my salutations frankly and like old friends;
though I could see they did not fancy my dress in the least,
Mary Warren was behind them all, smiling, blushing, and
shy; but it did not require two looks from me to make certain
that her welcome was as sincere as that of my older
friends. Mr. Warren was glad to have it in his power to
greet us openly, and to form an acquaintance with those, to
whose return he had now been looking with anxiety and
hope, for three or four years.

A few minutes sufficed for the necessary explanations, a
part of which, indeed, had already been made by those who
were previously in the secret; when my dear grandmother
and Patt insisted on our going up to our old room, and of
dressing ourselves in attire more suitable to our stations.
A plenty of summer clothes had been left behind us, and
our wardrobes had been examined that morning in anticipation
of our soon having need of them; so that no great time
was necessary to make the change. I was a little fuller
than when I left home, but the clothes being loose, there
was no difficulty in equipping myself. I found a handsome
blue dress coat, that did very well, and vests and pantaloons,
ad libitum. Clothing is so much cheaper in Europe than
at home, that Americans who are well supplied, do not often
carry much with them when they go abroad; and this had
been a rule with my uncle all his life. Each of us, moreover,
habitually kept a supply of country attire at the Nest,
which we did not think of removing. In consequence of
these little domestic circumstances, as has been said, there
was no want of the means of putting my uncle and myself
on a level with others of our class, as respects outward appearance,
in that retired part of the country, at least.

The apartments of my uncle and myself were quite near
each other, in the north wing of the house; as that which
looked in the direction of a part of the meadows under the

[figure description] Page 045.[end figure description]

cliff, the wooded ravine, and the wigwam, or cabin, of the
“Upright Onondago.” The last was very plainly in view,
from the window of my dressing-room; and I was standing
at the latter, contemplating the figures of the two old fellows,
as they sat basking in the sun, as was their practice of an
afternoon, when a tap at the door proved to be the announcement
of the entrance of John.

“Well, John, my good fellow,” I said, laughingly; “I
find a wig makes a great difference with your means of recognizing
an old friend. I must thank you, nevertheless,
for the good treatment you gave me in my character of a
music-grinder.”

“I am sure, Mr. Hugh, you are heartily welcome to my
services, come as you may to ask them. It was a most
surprisingest deception, sir, as I shall ever hadmit; but I
thought the whole time you wasn't exactly what you seemed
to be, as I told Kitty as soon as I went down stairs: `Kitty,'
says I, `them two pedlars is just the two genteelest pedlars
as hever I see in this country, and I shouldn't wonder if
they had known better days.' But, now you have been to
see the hanti-renters with your own eyes, Mr. Hugh, what
do you think of them, if I may be so bold as to ask the
question?”

“Very much as I thought, before I had been to see them.
They are a set of fellows who are canting about liberty, at
the very moment when they are doing all they can to discredit
its laws, and who mistake selfishness for patriotism;
just as their backers in the State government are doing, by
using the same cant, when their object is nothing but votes.
If no tenant had a vote, this question would never have
been raised, or dreamt of—but I see those two old fellows,
Jaaf and Sus, seem to enjoy themselves still.”

“Indeed they do, sir, in the most surprisingest manner!
They was both antiquities, as we says in Hengland, when
I came to this country, sir — and that was before you was
born, Mr. Hugh — an age agone. But there they sits, sir,
day in and day out, looking like monumentals of past
times. The nigger” — John had been long enough in the
country to catch the vernacular—“The nigger grows uglier
and uglier every year, and that is most of a change I can
see in him; while I do think, sir, that the Indian grows

[figure description] Page 046.[end figure description]

'andsomer and 'andsomer. He 's the 'andsomest old gentleman,
sir, as I knows of, far and near!”

“Old gentleman!” What an expressive term that was,
in this case! No human being would ever think of calling
Jaaf an “old gentleman,” even in these “aristocratic” days,
when “gentlemen” are plentier than blackberries; while
any one might feel disposed thus to describe Susquesus.
The Onondago was a gentleman, in the best meaning of the
word; though he may, and certainly did, want a great
deal in the way of mere conventional usages. As for John,
he never would have used the word to me, except in a case
in which he felt the party had a claim to the appellation.

“Susquesus is a magnificent sight, with his grey or
white head, fiery eyes, composed features, and impressive
air,” I answered; “and Jaaf is no beauty. How do the
old men get on together?”

“Why, sir, they quarrel a good deal—that is, the nigger
quarrels; though the Indian is too much above him to mind
what he says. Nor will I say that Yop actually quarrels,
sir, for he has the greatest possible regard for his friend;
but he aggravates in the most surprisingest manner — just
like a nigger, howsever, I do suppose.”

“They have wanted for nothing, I trust, during my absence.
Their table and other comforts have been seen to
carefully, I hope?”

“No fear of that, sir, so long as Mrs. Littlepage lives!
She has the affection of a child for the old men, and has
everything provided for them that they can possibly want.
Betty Smith, sir—you remember Betty, the widow of the old
coachman, that died when you was at college, sir — well,
Betty has done nothing, these four years, but look after
them two old men. She keeps everything tidy in their
hut, and washes it out twice a week, and washes their
clothes for them, and darns, and sews, and cooks, and
looks after all their comforts. She lives hard by, in the
other cottage, sir, and has everything handy.”

“I am glad of that. Does either of the old men ever
stray over as far as the Nest House now, John?” Before
I went abroad, we had a visit from each, daily.”

“That custom has fallen away a little, sir; though the
nigger comes much the oftenest. He is sure to be here

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once or twice a week, in good weather. Then he walks
into the kitchen, where he will sit sometimes for a whole
morning, telling the hardest stories, sir — ha, ha, ha! — yes,
sir, just the hardest stories one ever heard!”

“Why what can he have to say of that nature, that it
seems to amuse you so?”

“According to his notion, sir, everything in the country
is falling away, and is inferior like to what it may have
been in his young days. The turkeys arn't so large, sir;
and the fowls is poorer, sir; and the mutton isn't so fat,
sir; and sich sort of enormities.”

Here John laughed very heartily, though it was plain
enough he did not much fancy the comparisons.

“And Susquesus,” I said, “he does not share in his
friend's criticisms?”

“Sus never enters the kitchen, sir, at all. He knows that
all the quality and upper class come to the great door of the
house, and is too much of a gentleman to come in at any
other entrance. No, sir, I never saw Sus in the kitchen or
hoffices, at all; nor does Mrs. Littlepage 'ave his table set
anywhere but in the hupper rooms, or on the piazza, when
she wishes to treat him to anything nice. The old gentleman
has what he calls his traditions, sir, and can tell a great
many stories of old times; but they ar'n't about turkeys, and
'orses, and garden-stuff, and such things as Yop dwells on
so much, and so uncomfortably.”

I now dismissed John, after again thanking him for his
civilities to one of my late appearance, and joined my uncle.
When we entered the little drawing-room, where the whole
party was waiting to meet us, previously to going to the
table, a common exclamation of pleasure escaped them all.
Martha again kissed me, declaring I was now Hugh; that
I looked as she had expected to see Hugh; that she would
now know me for Hugh, and many other similar things;
while my dear grandmother stood and parted my hair, and
gazed into my face with tears in her eyes, for I reminded
her of her first-born, who had died so young! As for the
other ladies, the two heiress-wards of Uncle Ro seemed
smiling and friendly, and willing to renew our ancient amicable
relations; but Mary Warren still kept herself in the

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back-ground, though I thought by her modest and halfaverted
eye, and flushed cheeks, that she sympathized as
deeply in her friend Patt's present happiness as any of the
others; possibly more deeply.

Before we went to the table I sent a servant to the top of
the house, with orders to look down the road, in order to
ascertain when my red friends might be expected. This
man reported that they were advancing along the highway,
and would probably reach the door in the course of half an
hour. They had stopped; and he thought that he could
perceive, by means of his glass, that they were painting their
faces, and otherwise arranging their toilets, in preparation
for the anticipated interview. On receiving this information
we took our seats at table, expecting to be ready to receive
the chiefs, as soon as they should arrive.

Ours was a happy dinner. For the moment, the condition
of the country and the schemes of my tenants were forgotten,
and we chatted of those nearer interests and feelings
that naturally presented themselves to our minds at such a
time. At length dear grandmother pleasantly remarked—

“You must have an instinct for the discovery of discretion,
Hugh, for no one could have made a better choice of
a confidant than you did, while going to the village, this
morning.”

Mary blushed like an Italian sky at eventide, and looked
down, to conceal her confusion.

“I do not know whether it was discretion or vanity,
grandmother,” was my answer, “for I am conscious of
feeling an unconquerable reluctance to passing for a common
music-grinder in Miss Warren's eyes.”

“Nay, Hugh,” put in the saucy Patt, “I had told you
before that you passed for a very uncommon music-grinder
in her eyes. As for the grinding, she said but little; for it
was of the flute, and of the manner in which it was played,
that Miss Warren spoke the most eloquently.”

The “Martha!” of Mary Warren, lowly, but half-reproachfully
uttered, showed that the charming girl was beginning
to be really distressed, and my observant parent
changed the discourse by a gentle and adroit expedient;
such as a woman alone knows thoroughly how to put in

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practice. It was simply handing Mr. Warren a plate of
greengages; but the act was so performed as to change the
discourse.

During the whole of that meal I felt certain there was a
secret, mysterious communication between me and Mary
Warren, which, while it probably did escape the notice of
others, was perfectly evident to ourselves. This fact I felt
to be true; while there was a consciousness betrayed in
Mary's blushes, and even in her averted eyes, that I found
extremely eloquent on the same subject.