"You think he's in league with them?"
"I know it, fer shore. But whar's Fred?"
"Over at Stevens'."
"Mought 'a' knowed thet 'thout axin'; but I don't blame the feller a mite. Jinnie's a mighty purty gal, an' ef I wasn't so old an' ugly, an' she wasn't so smart, an' all else went 'cordin', an' she didn't say no, durned ef I didn't hitch onto her myself. But never mind thet now. What're you goin' to do?"
"What do you advise, Tobe?"
"Jest this. Take sech things as you cain't do 'thout an' don't want to leave, an' strike out fer the bigger settlements. I tell you, ef you stay hyar, to-morrow this time won't see ary one o' your skelps on the place whar natur' 'lowed fer 'em to grow," earnestly added Castor.
"Father," called out the clear, sweet voice of Annie, at this juncture, "all's ready."
"Come, Tobe; eat a bite and I will settle my plans. I'll let you know then," added Wilson, turning toward the cabin.
CHAPTER II.