to know who wouldn't fret,
when they know they're going to lose all thar property by them thar good
for nothing red-coated Britishers, who I do believe is jest as mean as
Injens, and they're too mean to live, that's sartin. Fret, indeed! I
reckon it wouldn't do for you to be letting Preacher Allprayer hear ye
say so; for he said one time with his own mouth--and to me too, mind
that!--that I'd got the bestest disposition in the whole universal yarth
o' creation under the sun!" and the voluble old lady paused to take
breath.

"It's my opine, that ef Preacher Allprayer had lived with you as long as
I have, he wouldn't repeat that thar sentence under oath," returned
Younker, quietly. Then perceiving that a storm was brewing, he hastened
to change the conversation, by addressing the stranger: "What cause have
you, Mr. Williams, for speaking so discourageous o' the war?"

"The failure of the American arms in battle, the weakness of their
resources, and the strength of their opponents," replied the other. "I
presume you have heard of the battles of Guilford and Camden, in both of
which General Greene was defeated?"

"General _Gates_ commanded at Camden, sir!" interposed Reynolds somewhat
haughtily.

"I beg pardon, sir!" retorted the other, in a sneering, sarcastic tone;
"but I was speaking of the defeat of General _Greene!_"

"At Camden?"

"At Camden, sir!"

"I am sorry you are no better informed," rejoined Algernon, with
flashing eyes. "I repeat that General Gates commanded at Camden; and as,
unfortunately, I chanced to be in the fight, I claim the privilege of
being positive."

"The youth is doubtless speaking of the battle fought a year or two
ago," rejoined Williams, turning to Younker, in a manner the most
insulting to Reynolds; who clenched his hand, and pressed his nether lip
with his teeth until the blood sprang through, but said nothing. "I have
reference to the two engagements which took place at Guilford Court
House and Camden, in March and April last; whereby, as I said before,
General Greene, who commanded at both, was twice defeated, and retreated
with great loss; although in the former action his forces outnumbered
those of his opponent, Lord Cornwallis, as two to one; and in the
latter, far exceeded those of Lord Rawdon, his opponent also."

"This is indeed startling news," answered Younker, "and I'm fearful o'
the result!"

"You may depend on't, them thar four-hundred acres is all gone clean to
s