The giant returned to the fire and stood before its pleasing blaze.
"You uns kin sign yer names when ye git warm." It was the tavern keeper that spoke, and the travellers, taking the hint, moved over to the soiled record book and added their names to the few already inscribed there. Peter Burke, tavern keeper, scrutinised the names carefully with his good eye, while the other seemed to be studying the appearance of the strangers. One of the raftsmen leaned over to Hugh and whispered in his ear that to be cross-eyed was a wonderful talent for the tavern keeper; he could read the names on his book and size up the people at one and the same time.
"You uns travelling fer?" asked one of the raftsmen.
"No, sir," laconically responded the red-headed one.
"Come from Kittanning?" said another.
"Yes, sir."
"How's election news down there, and what's opinion on John Quincy Adams?"
"Adams seems to be very popular, and Jackson has a good following."
"Adams will carry the day, no doubt," said the pilot.