Though not a little scandalised, at the unexpected turn
of the transaction, he was fain to make the best of circumstances, and
to bring forth such matter in justification, as first presented itself
to his disordered faculties.
"That there did exist a certain compactum, or agreement, between Obed
Batt, M.D., and Ishmael Bush, viator, or erratic husbandman," he said,
endeavouring to avoid all offence in the use of terms, "I am not
disposed to deny. I will admit that it was therein conditioned, or
stipulated, that a certain journey should be performed conjointly, or
in company, until so many days had been numbered. But as the said time
has fully expired, I presume it fair to infer that the bargain may now
be said to be obsolete."
"Ishmael!" interrupted the impatient Esther, "make no words with a man
who can break your bones as easily as set them, and let the poisoning
devil go! He's a cheat, from box to phial. Give him half the prairie,
and take the other half yourself. He an acclimator! I will engage to
get the brats acclimated to a fever-and-ague bottom in a week, and not
a word shall be uttered harder to pronounce than the bark of a cherry-
tree, with perhaps a drop or two of western comfort.
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