"Down, Hector, down," said his master, in a voice, that was a little
tremulous and hollow with age. "What have ye to do, pup, with men who
journey on their lawful callings?"
"Stranger, if you ar' much acquainted in this country," said the
leader of the emigrants, "can you tell a traveller where he may find
necessaries for the night?"
"Is the land filled on the other side of the Big River?" demanded the
old man, solemnly, and without appearing to hearken to the other's
question; "or why do I see a sight, I had never thought to behold
again?"
"Why, there is country left, it is true, for such as have money, and
ar' not particular in the choice," returned the emigrant; "but to my
taste, it is getting crowdy. What may a man call the distance, from
this place to the nighest point on the main river?"
"A hunted deer could not cool his sides, in the Mississippi, without
travelling a weary five hundred miles."
"And what may you name the district, hereaway?"
"By what name," returned the old man, pointing significantly upward,
"would you call the spot, where you see yonder cloud?"
The emigrant looked at the other, like one who did not comprehend his
meaning, and who half suspected he was trifled with, but he contented
himself by saying--
"You ar' but a new inhabitant, like myself, I reckon, stranger,
otherwise you would not be backward in helping a traveller to some
advice; words cost but little, and sometimes lead to friendships.
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