say, now, I'd go my length for the young
gentleman? And I'm sure I'm ready, and aint at all afeared, no how. I
only did want to say that, if the thing takes wind, as how it raaly
stood, it spiles all my calkilations. I couldn't 'stablish a consarn
here, I guess, for a nation long spell of time after."

"And what then? where's your calculations? Get the young fellow clear,
and what will his friends do for you? Think of that, Bunce. You go off
to Carolina with him, and open store in his parts, and he buys from you
all he wants--his negro-cloths, his calicoes, his domestics, and
stripes, and everything. Then his family, and friends and neighbors,
under his recommendation--they all buy from you; and then the presents
they will make you--the fine horses--and who knows but even a plantation
and negroes may all come out of this one transaction?"

"To be sure--who knows? Well, things do look temptatious enough, and
there's a mighty deal of reason, now, in what you say. Large business
that, I guess, in the long run. Aint I ready? Let's see--a gallon of
whiskey--aint a gallon a heap too much for only three people?"

"Better have ten than want. Then there must be pipes, tobacco, cigars;
and mind, when they get well on in drinking, I shall look to you through
that window. Be sure and come to me then. Make some pretence, for, as
Brooks may be slow and cautious, I shall get something to drop into his
liquor--a little mixture which I shall hand you."

"What mixture? No pizen, I hope! I don't go that, not I--no pizening for
me."

"Pshaw! fool--nonsense! If I wanted their lives, could I not choose a
shorter method, and a weapon which I could more truly rely upon than I
ever can upon you? It is to make them sleep that I shall give you the
mixture."

"Oh, laudnum. Well, now why couldn't you say laudnum at first, without
frightening people so with your mixtures'?--There's no harm in laudnum,
for my old aunt Tabitha chaws laudnum-gum jest as other folks chaws
tobacco."

"Well, that's all--it's only to get them asleep sooner. See now about
your men at once. We have no time to lose; and, if this contrivance
fails, I must look about for another. It must be done to-night, or it
can not be done at all. In an hour I shall return; and hope, by that
time, to find you busy with their brains. Ply them well--don't be slow
or stingy--and see that you have enough of whiskey. Here's money--have
everything ready."

The pedler took the money--wh