'Jerusalem! but she is the all-firedest critter I ever heard tell on.'
'What does ye maan by that?' demanded the Irishman, instantly flaring up; 'does ye maan to insinooate that she isn't the most charming craater in the whole counthry?'
'You'll allow me to except my own Seraphenia?'
'Niver a once.'
'Then I'll do it whether you like it or not Your gal can't begin with mine, and never could.'
'That I don't allow any man to say.'
And the Irishman immediately began divesting himself of his coat, preparatory to settling the difference in the characteristic Irish manner. Nothing loth, the Yankee put himself in attitude, determined to stand up for the rights of his fair one, no matter by whom assailed.
Matters having progressed so far, there undoubtedly would have been a set-to between them, had not the trapper interfered. He and the boy were engaged in preparing the steam man and wagon for starting, when the excited words drew their attention, and seeing that a fight was imminent, Baldy advanced to where they stood and said:
'Not another word, or skulpme ef I don't hammer both of you till thar's nothin left o' you.'
This was unequivocal language, and neither of the combatants misunderstood it. All belligerent manifestations ceased at once, and they turned to in assisting in the preparations for moving.