A hearty laugh, and cries in the negative, followed this somewhat technical retort and reply of the speaker—­since, in trespass, according to the received forms of law, the first duty of the plaintiff is to establish his own title.

“Then, George, you are absolutely bent on having us show our title?  You won’t deliver up peaceably, and do justice?”

“Can’t think of such a thing—­we find the quarters here quite too comfortable, and have come too far to be in a hurry to return.  We are tired, too, Wat; and it’s not civil in you to make such a request.  When you can say ‘must’ to us, we shall hear you, but not till then; so, my old fellow, if you be not satisfied, why, the sooner we come to short sixes the better,” was the response of the desperado.

The indifferent composure with which he uttered a response which was in fact the signal for bloodshed, not less than the savage ferocity of his preparations generally, amply sustained his pretension to this appellative.  Munro knew his man too well not to perceive that to this “fashion must they come at last;” and simply assuring Dexter that he would submit his decision to his followers, he retired back upon the anxious and indignant party, who had heard a portion, and now eagerly and angrily listened to the rest of the detail.

Having gone over the matter, he proceeded to his arrangements for the attack with all the coolness, and certainly much of the conduct of a veteran.  In many respects he truly deserved the character of one; his courage was unquestionable, and aroused; though he still preserved his coolness, even when coupled with the vindictive ferocity of the savage.  His experience in all the modes of warfare, commonly known to the white man and Indian alike, in the woods, was complete; everything, indeed, eminently fitted and prepared him for the duties which, by common consent, had been devolved upon him.  He now called them around him, under a clump of trees and brushwood which concealed them from sight, and thus addressed them, in a style and language graduated to their pursuits and understandings:—­

“And now, my fine fellows, you see it is just as I told you all along.  You will have to fight for it, and with no half spirit.  You must just use all your strength and skill in it, and a little cunning besides.  We have to deal with a man who would just as lief fight as eat; indeed, he prefers it.  As he says himself, there’s no two ways about him.  He will come to the scratch himself, and make everybody else do so.  So, then, you see what’s before you.  It’s no child’s play.  They count more men than we—­not to speak of their entrenchments and shelter.  We must dislodge them if we can; and to begin, I have a small contrivance in my head which may do some good.  I want two from among you to go upon a nice business.  I must have men quick of foot, keen of sight, and cunning as a black-snake; and they mustn’t be afraid of a knock on the head either.  Shall I have my men?”