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. One thing
ar' a fact, Ishmael; I like no fellow-travellers who can give a heavy
feel to an honest woman's tongue, I--and that without caring whether her
household is in order, or out of order."

The air of settled gloom, which had taken possession of the squatter's
countenance, lighted for an instant with a look of dull drollery, as he
answered--

"Different people might judge differently, Esther, of the virtue of the
man's art. But sin' it is your wish to let him depart, I will not plough
the prairie to make the walking rough. Friend, you are at liberty to go
into the settlements, and there I would advise you to tarry, as men like
me who make but few contracts, do not relish the custom of breaking them
so easily."

"And now, Ishmael," resumed his conquering wife, "in order to keep a
quiet family and to smother all heart-burnings between us, show yonder
Red-skin and his daughter," pointing to the aged Le Balafre and the
widowed Tachechana, "the way to their village, and let us say to
them--God bless you, and farewell, in the same breath!"

"They are the captives of the Pawnee, according to the rules of Indian
warfare, and I cannot meddle with his rights."

"Beware the devil, my man! He's a cheat and a tempter, and none can
say they ar' safe with his awful delusions before their eyes! Take the
advice of one who has the honour of