CHAPTER XIV.
SAMUEL AND JOSHUA.
After leaving George Clinton, Samuel Dickson went at once to theresidence of his brother Joshua.
The sun was still high in the heavens when he reached the settlement;his brother was in sight, galloping towards him.
"Come along," he cried, shaking hands; "I was so impatient to see you,I really could not wait any longer."
"I hope there is nothing wrong, brother," said Samuel.
"Nothing at all. Everything is going for the best."
"I am glad to hear it. I was rather uneasy."
"I am sorry to hear that. But why are you so late?"
"I had to go on a small journey. There was no hurry."
"You are wrong, Sam. But here you are, and all is well. But had youcome sooner it would have been better."
"Well, here I am, so out with the news."
"I have to speak of important things, and I have to ask your advice,who are wisdom itself."
"Awfully wise," cried Samuel, laughing, "when in the end I only carryout all your insane ideas."
"True! But still you were generally right. The fact is, if you speakwords of wisdom, and then act a little the other way, it is simply outof love for me. I know it, my brother. I am not ungrateful, and loveyou dearly."
"I don't doubt your affection. But you alarm me."
"Why?" said Joshua, laughing.
"Whenever you talk like this, I smell a rat, in the shape of some awfulscheme, some diabolical plot."
"I see you are not to be easily deceived," said Joshua; "but come in,let us eat, and then talk. The matter of which I wish to speak is ofgeneral interest."
"As you will; but still I am monstrously afraid."
"I know you are a great coward," cried Joshua.
At this moment they reached the house, alighted, and, giving the horsesto the servants, entered the parlour, escorted by Dardar, who had cometo meet them.
The two ladies received Samuel cordially.
"Here he is at last, Susan," said her husband.
"He has been anxious about you all day," cried Susan.
"Then he has some mad scheme. But we shall see presently. Good evening,Diana, my dear. You look well."
"A truce to compliments," cried Joshua; "to supper."
They now entered the dining room, where the whole household wascollected, men, women, and children. Of course, enormous quantities ofmeat, bread, and vegetables adorned the board. The repast was trulyHomeric.
After dinner the servants retired, and the ladies would have done thesame, but Joshua detained them.
The ladies seated themselves with a rather uneasy glance. He poured outa stiff glass for himself and brother and drank his off.
"Thank heaven!" he began, "We are now solidly established in our newdwelling, and it is time to speak of business."
"Hilloa! Talk business now? It is late. Why can we not put off ourbusiness arrangements until tomorrow?"
"You forget, my brother, I sent for you on purpose--"
"I remember--well, go on, I am at your orders."
"Harry, have you obeyed my orders?" asked Joshua.
"Yes, father," replied the young man.
"All right," continued the squatter, refilling his glass. "Your health,all of you. In an hour, I'm off."
"Off!" cried the ladies, in great alarm.
"Hem!" said Samuel; "If you are not satisfied here, I am."
"I don't want to drag you into my affairs," replied Joshua, coolly."But I shall not be long away. It is only a journey."
"I thought," exclaimed Samuel, "he was as mad as ever; will you explainthe object of this journey or exploration?"
"One which you will highly approve, my brother," he went on. "I desireto open up commercial relations."
"Very good idea. But what is your precise motive?"
"I have said enough. I think my object serious."
"Well, if you have no more to say, stop at home."
"Will you tell me why?" asked Joshua.
"Because your voyage is utterly useless. All the information you candesire to obtain I can give you in ten minutes."
"You!" cried Joshua, wildly.
"Certainly!" said Samuel, modestly; "I can, and will do so, if you willbe good enough to listen to me."
"I shall only be too happy. Still I don't understand!"
"That is unnecessary. You must know that I have obtained my informationfrom hunters and redskins."
"Hunters! Redskins!" cried Joshua.
"Don't you know they swarm about here? I never go out without meetingsome of them. So I say stop at home."
"Explain yourself, brother," said Joshua, sulkily.
"Well, you think yourself very far from all white folk. You are verymuch mistaken. Learn, then, that though we are in the centre of themost warlike tribes of Indians, you have new forts not very far off,including a fur station."
"Can it be possible?" exclaimed Joshua.
"And my friend and brother, are you aware what magnificent river runsat your own door? The Missouri!"
Joshua bowed his head on his chest and was silent, while Samuel rubbedhis hands and smiled slyly.
"What do you think of the information?" he said at last.
"If you are certain of what you say, it is excellent."
"Then you give up the idea of your journey?"
"Certainly not. Admitting that all you tell me be true, it is of thehighest importance for me to visit the fur station and all othersettlements above and below us on the river, in order to becomefriendly, and prevent rivalry."
"What rivalry?" half screamed Samuel.
"Any that might arise. Of course they will soon know all about me andmight interrupt my commercial speculations."
"A fool will have his own way," cried his brother.
"Abuse is not argument, my brother," said Joshua.
"I apologise; but you are determined to go. I see you are; then heavenprotect all in your absence."
"Will you take no advice?" ventured Susan.
"I have made up my mind," he replied; "I never alter."
"But, father," cried Diana, "what are we to do during your absence? Youleave us wholly undefended."
"Silence, daughter," said the squatter, smiling; "don't be so tragical.I do not leave you undefended, as you say. Your uncle will watch overyou. Your brother Henry commands in my absence. You have a fort. Whatmore is wanted?"
"How do you mean to travel?" asked Susan.
"In the boat I launched today, with Sam, Jack, and two servants. I donot take away many defenders."
"But you are not here to lead."
"That is enough," he cried; "I have decided. Besides, it would beabsurd not to visit my new neighbourhood."
No more was said. The squatter was escorted by all to the riverside. Hebade them all adieu, kissed his wife and daughter, shook hands with hisbrother, gave his son Henry some last directions, entered the boat,and was off in a very few minutes, whistling "Yankee Doodle," perhapsin reality to hide his strong emotion from his two sons.