"
The squatter seemed reluctant to abandon his views of the abashed
girl, so easily; and before he answered to the suggestion of his wife,
he turned his usual dull look along the line of the curious
countenances of his boys, as if to see whether there was not one among
them fit to fill the place of the deceased. Paul was not slow to
observe the expression, and hitting nigher than usual on the secret
thoughts of the other, he believed he had fallen on an expedient which
might remove every difficulty.
"It is quite plain, friend Bush," he said, "that there are two
opinions in this matter; yours for your sons, and mine for myself. I
see but one amicable way of settling this dispute, which is as
follows:--do you make a choice among your boys of any you will, and
let us walk off together for the matter of a few miles into the
prairies; the one who stays behind, can never trouble any man's house
or his fixen, and the one who comes back may make the best of his way
he can, in the good wishes of the young woman.
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