I said that I had been monstrous busy with my new glebe in the Sacandaga patent, and had swung an axe there with the best o' them until an express from Sir William summoned me to return to aid him with the Iroquois at the council-fire. At which explaining of my silence the jade smiled.
When I mentioned the Sacandaga patent and the glebe I had had of Sir William on too generous terms—he making all arrangements with Major Jelles Fonda through Mr. Lafferty—Sir John, who had been standing silent beside us, looked up at me in that cold and stealthy way of his.
"Do you mean your parcel at Fonda's Bush?" he inquired.
"Yes; I am clearing it."
"Why?"
"So that my land shall grow Indian corn, pardie!"
"Why clear it now?" he persisted in his deadened voice.
I could have answered very naturally that the land was of no value to anybody unless cleared of forest. But of course he knew this, too; so I did not evade the slyer intent of his question.
"I am clearing my land at Fonda's Bush," said I, "because, God willing, I mean to occupy it in proper person."
"And when, sir, is it your design to do this thing?"