who were so unexpectedly required to
answer for a conduct, which, in their simplicity, they had deemed so
meritorious. The life of Obed had been so purely theoretic, that his amazement
was not the least embarrassing, at a state of things, which might not have
proved so very remarkable had he been a little more practised in the ways of the
world. The worthy naturalist was not the first by many, who found himself, at
the precise moment when he was expecting praise, suddenly arraigned to answer
for the very conduct on which he rested all his claims to commendation. Though
not a little scandalized at the unexpected turn of the transaction, he was fain
to make the best of circumstances, and to bring forth such matter in
justification, as first presented itself to his disordered faculties.
    »That there did exist a certain compactum, or agreement, between Obed Batt,
M.D. and Ishmael Bush, viator, or erratic husbandman,« he said, endeavoring to
avoid all offense in the use of terms, »I am not disposed to deny. I will admit
that it was therein conditioned or stipulated, that a certain journey should be
performed conjointly or in company, until so many days had been numbered. But as
the said time has fully expired, I presume it fair to infer, that the bargain
may now, be said to be obsolete -«
    »Ishmael,« interrupted the impatient Esther, »make no words with a man who
can break your bones as easily as set them, and let the poisoning devil go! He's
a cheat, from box to phial. Give him half the Prairie, and take the other half
yourself. He an acclimator! I will engage to get the brats acclimated to a fever
and ague bottom in a week and not a word shall be uttered, harder to pronounce
than the bark of a cherry-tree, with perhaps a drop or two of western comfort.
One thing ar' a fact, Ishmael, I like no fellow-travellers who can give a heavy
feel to an honest woman's tongue, ay, and that without caring whether her
household is in order, or out of order.«
    The air of settled gloom which had taken possession of the squatter's
countenance, lighted, for an instant, with a look of dull drollery as he
answered -
    »Different people might judge differently, Eester, of the virtue of the
man's art. But sin' it is your wish to let him depart, I will not plough the
Prairie to make the walking rough. Friend,