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Page 24
"It's my opine, that ef Preacher Allprayer had lived with you as long as
I have, he wouldn't repeat that thar sentence under oath," returned
Younker, quietly. Then perceiving that a storm was brewing, he hastened
to change the conversation, by addressing the stranger: "What cause have
you, Mr. Williams, for speaking so discourageous o' the war?"
"The failure of the American arms in battle, the weakness of their
resources, and the strength of their opponents," replied the other. "I
presume you have heard of the battles of Guilford and Camden, in both of
which General Greene was defeated?"
"General _Gates_ commanded at Camden, sir!" interposed Reynolds somewhat
haughtily.
"I beg pardon, sir!" retorted the other, in a sneering, sarcastic tone;
"but I was speaking of the defeat of General _Greene!_"
"At Camden?"
"At Camden, sir!"
"I am sorry you are no better informed," rejoined Algernon, with
flashing eyes. "I repeat that General Gates commanded at Camden; and as,
unfortunately, I chanced to be in the fight, I claim the privilege of
being positive."
"The youth is doubtless speaking of the battle fought a year or two
ago," rejoined Williams, turning to Younker, in a manner the most
insulting to Reynolds; who clenched his hand, and pressed his nether lip
with his teeth until the blood sprang through, but said nothing. "I have
reference to the two engagements which took place at Guilford Court
House and Camden, in March and April last; whereby, as I said before,
General Greene, who commanded at both, was twice defeated, and retreated
with great loss; although in the former action his forces outnumbered
those of his opponent, Lord Cornwallis, as two to one; and in the
latter, far exceeded those of Lord Rawdon, his opponent also."
"This is indeed startling news," answered Younker, "and I'm fearful o'
the result!"
"You may depend on't, them thar four-hundred acres is all gone clean to
smash," observed Mrs. Younker; "and its my opine, Ben, you'd better sell
right straight out immediately, afore the news gits about any further,
for fear o' accidents and them things."
"I suppose in reality the present war with England does not trouble you
here?" said the stranger, interrogatively.
"Why not in reality," answered Younker, "only so far as the Britishers
and thar accursed renegade agents set on the Injens agin us."
"To what renegade agents do you allude?" inquired the other, with a
degree of interest he had not before exhibited.
"Why, to the Girtys, McKee, and Elliot--and perticularly to that thar
scoundrel, Simon Girty the worst o' all on 'em."
"Ha! Simon Girty," said the other, with a slight start and change of
countenance; "what know you of him?"
"Nothing that's good, you may be sartin, and every thing that's evil.
He's leagued with the Injens, purposely to excite 'em agin his own white
brethren--to have them murder women and children, that he may feast his
eyes on thar innocent blood. I'm not given to be o' a revengeful speret,
Mr. Williams; but I never think o' that thar renegade, Simon Girty, but
I inwardly pray for the curse o' an avenging God to light upon him; and
come it will, ayther soon or late, you may depend on't!"
"Amen to that thar sentiment!" responded the dame; while the stranger
became very much agitated, on account, as he said, of a violent pain in
his side, to which he was subject.
Mrs. Younker was on the point of bringing down her invectives on the
head of the renegade in a speech of some considerable length, when,
perceiving the distressful look of the other, the kind-hearted woman
suddenly forgot her animosity in sympathy for her suffering guest; and
forthwith proceeded, with all the eloquence of which she was master, to
recommend a certain essence that chanced to be in the house, as a never
failing remedy for all griping and other pains with which unfortunate
humanity was oftentimes afflicted.
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