orewarn ye all," continued the startled Doctor, "that I
am a peaceful citizen of the before named Confederacy, or to speak with
greater accuracy, Union, a supporter of the Social Compact, and a lover
of good order and amity;" then, perceiving that the danger was, at
least, temporarily removed, he once more raised his voice to the hostile
pitch,--"I charge ye all, therefore, to submit to the laws."

"I thought you were a friend," Ellen replied; "and that you travelled
with my uncle, in virtue of an agreement--"

"It is void! I have been deceived in the very premises, and, I hereby
pronounce, a certain compactum, entered into and concluded between
Ishmael Bush, squatter, and Obed Battius, M.D., to be incontinently
null and of non-effect. Nay, children, to be null is merely a negative
property, and is fraught with no evil to your worthy parent; so lay
aside the fire-arms, and listen to the admonitions of reason. I declare
it vicious--null--abrogated. As for thee, Nelly, my feelings towards
thee are not at all given to hostility; therefore listen to that which
I have to utter, nor turn away thine ears in the wantonness of security.
Thou knowest the character of the man with whom thou dwellest, young
woman, and thou also knowest the danger of being found in evil company.
Abandon, then, the trifling advantages of thy situation, and yield the
rock peaceably to the will of those who accompany me--a legion, young
woman--I do assure you an invincible and powerful legion! Render,
therefore, the effects of this lawless and wicked squatter,--nay,
children, such disregard of human life, is frightful in those who
have so recently received the gift, in their own persons! Point those
dangerous weapons aside, I entreat of you; more for your own sakes, than
for mine. Hetty, hast thou forgotten who appeased thine anguish when
thy auricular nerves were tortured by the colds and damps of the naked
earth! and thou, Phoebe, ungrateful and forgetful Phoebe! but for this
very arm, which you would prostrate with an endless paralysis, thy
incisores would still be giving thee pain and sorrow! Lay, then, aside
thy weapons, and hearken to the advice of one who has always been
thy friend. And now, young woman," still keeping a jealous eye on the
muskets which the girl had suffered to be diverted a little from their
aim,--"and now, young woman, for the last, and therefore the most solemn
asking: I demand of thee the surrender of this rock, without dela