The view from the height, as it might be termed in reference to the river, though it was merely on the level of the whole region in that portion of the State, was both extensive and pretty.  Willow Grove, as Marble called his mother’s place three or four times, while our horse was working his way up the ascent, looked more invitingly than ever, with its verdant declivities, rich orchards, neat cottage, all ensconced behind the sheltering cover of the river heights.  Inland, we saw a hundred farms, groves without number, divers roads, a hamlet within a mile of us, an old-fashioned extinguisher-looking church-spire, and various houses of wood painted white, with here and there a piece of rustic antiquity in bricks, or stone, washed with lime; or some livelier paint; for the Dutch of New York had brought the habits of Holland with them, delighting in colours.  This relief may be desirable in a part of the world where the eternal green of the meadows in a manner fatigues the eye; but certainly the grey of nature has no just competitor in the tints of the more artificial portions of the ordinary landscape.  White may make a scene look gay; but it can never lend it dignity, or the solemn hues that so often render the loveliness of a view impressive, as well as sweet.  When this glaring colour reaches the fences, it gives the prettiest landscape the air of a bleaching-yard, or of a great laundry, with the clothes hung out to dry!

The guide pointed out to us the house of Van Tassel, and another at which we should find Kitty, who was to be brought home by us on our return.  Understanding the course and distance, we put to sea without any misgivings.  The horse was no flyer, and Marble and I had plenty of leisure to arrange preliminaries before reaching the door to which we were bound.  After some consultation, and a good of discussion, I succeeded in persuading my companion it would not be wisest to break ground by flogging the attorney—­a procedure to which he was strongly inclined.  It was settled, however, he was at once to declare himself to be Mrs. Wetmore’s son, and to demand his explanations in that character; one that would clearly give him every claim to be heard.

“I know what these usurers, as you call ’em, Miles, must be,” said the mate.  “They are a sort of in-shore pawn-brokers; and the Lord have mercy on them, for I’ll have none.  I’ve had occasion to pawn a watch, or a quadrant, in my time; and bloody poor prices does a fellow get for his goods and chattels.  Yes, yes; I’ll let the old gentleman know, at once, I’m Van Duzer Oloff Marble Wetmore Moses, or whatever’s my name; and will stand up for the right in a fashion that will surprise him:  but what are you to do in the mean time?”

It struck me, if I could get Marble to attempt practising a sort of ruse, it would have the effect to prevent his resorting to club-law, towards which I knew he had a strong natural disposition, and of which I was still a little afraid.  With this object, then, I conceived the following scheme.