Says Simon Kenton:
“It’s Latin for a nice little gal, sweet as maple-syrup. And by Gosh, boys, I’d give a hull farm to hug that gal.”
To which Bill elegantly replied:
“She wouldn’t look at sich a ornary cuss as you. Go ’way, Sime. She don’t know you.”
Simon jumped up excitedly.
“And by Gosh, I’ll bet my rifle ag’in’ your’n that I know her, and that she knows me. That gal’s Ruby Roland, darter of old Tobacco; and you may jist bet she knows me and Cunnel Boone like a book, you ornary squirrel-picker. So thar.”
CHAPTER XVI.
RUBY’S VISIT.
Colonel Clark was seated in the great drawing-room of the government house, with Rocheblave near him, a sentry at the open door, and one of the principal inhabitants standing in an humble attitude before him. Clark’s face was stern and cold, for he was yet playing a part, and desired to frighten the people of Kaskaskia to the utmost.