"Then all I have to do is to go?" urged Joshua.
"I think the matter might be arranged," observed Louis. "Here is a young man who loves your child. George Clinton, is it not so?"
"It is useless my persuading Joshua Dickson."
"By heavens!" cried Samuel, "But you shall. Here is a noble, young, rich, brave—"
"But," cried Joshua, "what has that to do with it?"
"Sole owner of the Valley of the Deer," continued Louis Berger, drily; "he bought it this morning."
"But—" still hesitated Joshua.
"To arms!" cried Tom Mitchell, rushing in, "To arms! Pardieu! You have fallen into the trap."
"What is the matter?" cried the brothers.
"While you are wasting your time here, your plantation is attacked by Indians," he responded, "who are burning and destroying all. Soon there will be only ruins and ashes."