obscure--all but the
legitimate and legal counsellor Pippin, who, to the surprise of the
youth, was to be seen galloping at the uttermost stretch of his horse's
legs toward the quiet of his own abode. The lawyer was known to have a
particular care of number one, and such a movement excited no remark in
any of the assembly. There was danger at hand, and he knew his
value--besides, there might be business for the sessions, and he valued
too highly the advantages, in a jury-case, of a clean conscience, not to
be solicitous to keep his honor clear of any art or part in criminal
matters, saving only such connection as might come professionally.

That the lawyer was not without reason for his precaution, Ralph had
soon abundant testimony himself. Arms and the munitions of war, as if by
magic, had been rapidly collected. Some of the party, it is true, had
made their appearance at the place of prayer with rifles and fowling
pieces, a practice which occasioned no surprise. But the managers of the
present movement had seemingly furnished all hands with weapons,
offensive and defensive, of one kind or another. Some were caparisoned
with pistols, cutlasses, and knives; and, not to speak of pickaxes and
clubs, the array was sufficiently formidable. The attitude of all
parties was warlike in the extreme, and the speeches of those who, from
time to time, condescended to please themselves by haranguing their
neighbors, teemed with nothing but strife and wounds, fight and furious
performance.

The matter, as we have already remarked, was not made out by the youth
without considerable difficulty. He obtained, however, some particulars
from the various speakers, which, taken in connection with the broken
and incoherent sentences of Forrester, who dashed into speech at
intervals with something of the fury of a wounded panther in a
cane-brake, contributed at length to his full enlightenment.

"Matter enough--matter enough! and you will think so too--to he robbed
of our findings by a parcel of blasted 'coons, that haven't soul enough
to keep them freezing. Why, this is the matter, you must know: only last
week, we miners of Tracy's diggings struck upon a fine heap of the good
stuff, and have been gathering gold pretty freely ever since. All the
boys have been doing well at it; better than they ever did before--and
even Munro there, and Rivers, who have never been very fond of work,
neither of them, have been pretty busy ever since; for, as