"Go to old Nick!" roared Samuel; "I'm skinned alive."
"You are as fussy as a woman. We scarcely touched you. Tonight we shall do it again perfectly, and tomorrow you will be quite well," said Joshua.
Samuel shuddered, but said nothing; shortly after he, however, slept soundly. At night the two men came again, and, despite his lamentations, protestations, and prayers, continued to rub him as before, with all the vigour of which their hands and arms were capable.
Then Joshua told his brother to go to sleep, promising if in the morning he was not quite well to give him one more dose.
But Samuel was up first, and when they came to find him, he was dressed, singing "Yankee Doodle."
His brother was delighted, and while wishing him joy, highly eulogised his remedy, the very mention of which caused Samuel to shudder.
He was then questioned as to his adventure, which he related, leaving out all mention, however, of George Clinton. They were at breakfast, and everyone listened with avidity. The ladies especially, who were weary of their journey, heard the description of the beautiful valley with extreme delight.
"To conclude, I beg to remark," Samuel wound up by saying, "that I never saw a spot better suited for a settlement."
"We shall see," drily remarked Joshua.
Samuel knew his brother well, and was well aware how he should be treated.