“He’s had the redskins after him, and has had to take to the river to get away from ’em. If it hadn’t been for the flat-boat, it would’ve been all over with him.”
“He must be a brave man indeed.”
“He’s all that; he’d rather fight any time than eat. If he can work it to get into a scrimmage with the dogs, before we reach the settlement he will do so.”
“If he is so pugnacious as that, I trust you will be able to restrain him. He has no right to run us into any danger to justify his predilections.”
“He won’t do that; it will be himself only that he will try to get into trouble. Last summer, I went out in Kentucky with him. Afore we knowed it, we got a whole batch after us, and had to take to the river to give ’em the slip. We managed to throw ’em off the scent, and being pretty well worn out, hide under some bushes. We hadn’t been there long, when another party came along and squatted down right by us. They staid awhile and was going off without disturbing us, when this Teddy jumped up with a yell, and went right among ’em, using his gun for a shillalah, and whacking ’em over the head.”
“Of course, I had to pitch in with him, and it was about the worst scrimmage of my life. We gave some of the tallest kind of yelling, and I s’pose it must have been that scart ’em, for it want long before they left.”
“It is strange he escapes with his life.”
“Some of these days he will go under. His head is so hard that it seems to me he never can get it hurt, and, as that’s where he does generally get basted, that must be the reason he stands it so well.”
At this juncture, the subject of their remarks reappeared on deck, in such grotesque attire, that laughter was involuntary upon the part of all who saw him. His pantaloons were too baggy and far too large, his coat reached to his heels, and the sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. As for the shirt there can be nothing said regarding that, as there was none at all; for shoes, he retained his moccasins.
“That’s what I tarm a butiful shtyle of avening dress; also a choice one, bein’ there is no other to take your choice from.”