commodations. I see you have learned to make yourself perfectly at
home when you visit your neighbors."

"Why, thank you, Wat--I generally do, I reckon, as you know of old. It's
not now, I'm inclined to think, that you're to learn the ways of George
Dexter. He's a man, you see, Wat, that never has two ways about him."

"That's true, friend George, I must say that for you, were I to have to
put it on your tombstone."

"It's a long ride to the Atlantic, Wat; and the time is something off
yet, I reckon, when my friends will be after measuring me for a six-foot
accommodation. But, look you, Wat, why are all your family here?--I did
think, when I first saw them on the trail, some with their twisted and
some with smooth bores, tomahawks, and scalping-knives, that they took
us for Indians. If you hadn't come forward now, civilly, I should have
been for giving your boys some mutton-chops, by way of a cold cut."

"Well, George, you may do that yet, old fellow, for here we have all
come to take our Sunday dinner. You are not in the notion that we shall
let you take possession here so easily, without even sending us word,
and paying us no rent--no compensation?"

"Why, no, Wat--I knew you and your boys too well for that. I did look,
you see, to have a bit of a brush, and have made some few preparations
to receive you with warmth and open arms," was the response of Dexter,
pointing as he spoke to the well-guarded condition of his intrenchments,
and to his armed men, who were now thickly clustering about him.

Munro saw plainly that this was no idle boast, and that the disposition
of his enemy's force, without some stratagem, set at defiance any attack
under present circumstances. Still he did not despair, and taught in
Indian warfare, such a position was the very one to bring out his
energies and abilities. Falling back for a moment, he uttered a few
words in the ear of one of his party, who withdrew unobserved from his
companions, while he returned to the parley.

"Well, George, I see, as you have said, that you have made some
preparations to receive us, but they are not the preparations that I
like exactly, nor such as I think we altogether deserve."

"That may be, Wat--and I can't help it. If you will invite yourselves to
dinner, you must be content with what I put before you."

"It is not a smart speech, Dexter, that will give you free walk on the
high road; and something is to be said about this proceeding of yours,
w