Crockett laughed; and there was a trace of bitterness in it.
“As a member of Congress I had work to do,” corrected he. “But, you see, that’s an office that I no longer hold.”
The planter looked amazed.
“Why, you don’t mean to tell me you were defeated for reëlection in your district,” said he.
“I tell you just that,” said Colonel Crockett.
“Well, I’d never believed it,” said Burr, looking at his friends, wonder in his face. “Why, colonel, you were the most popular candidate that ever stumped Tennessee.”
Davy Crockett smiled, good-naturedly.
“Yes; the boys set some store by me,” said he. “And they liked to hear me talk. But politics is a queer kind of thing. The man who gets the votes may not always win.”
Mr. Burr looked grave.
“Why,” said he, “I’m afraid that is true.”