“And if I have been taken in, Bunce, in these calicoes, you’re the man that has done it,” said the landlord, laughing.  “This piece was sold by you into my own hands, last March was a year, when you came back from the Cherokees.”

“Now, don’t!  Well, I guess there must be some mistake; you aint sure, now, friend:  might be some other dealer that you bought from?”

“None other than yourself, Bunce.  You are the man, and I can bring a dozen to prove it on you.”

“Well, I ’spose what you say’s true, and that jest let’s me know how to mister you now, ’cause, you see, I do recollect now all about who I sold that bit of goods to that season.”

The landlord had been overreached; and, amused with the ingenuity of the trader, he contented himself with again lifting the huge fist in a threatening manner, though the smile which accompanied the action fairly deprived it of its terrors.

“Well, well,” said the landlord “we burn daylight in such talk as this.  I come to you as the only man who will or can help me in this matter; and Lucy Munro tells me you will—­you made her some such promise.”

“Well, now, I guess I must toe the chalk, after all; though, to say truth, I don’t altogether remember giving any such promise.  It must be right, though, if she says it; and sartain she’s a sweet body—­I’ll go my length for her any day.”

“You’ll not lose by it; and now hear my plan.  You know Brooks, the jailer, and his bulldog brother-in-law, Tongs?  I saw you talking with both of them yesterday.”

“Guess you’re right.  Late acquaintance, though; they aint neither on ’em to my liking.”

“Enough for our purpose.  Tongs is a brute who will drink as long as he can stand, and some time after it.  Brooks is rather shy of it, but he will drink enough to stagger him, for he is pretty weak-headed.  We have only to manage these fellows, and there’s the end of it.  They keep the jail.”

“Yes, I know; but you don’t count young Brooks?”

“Oh, he’s a mere boy.  Don’t matter about him.  He’s easily managed.  Now hear to my design.  Provide your jug of whiskey, with plenty of eggs and sugar, so that they shan’t want anything, and get them here.  Send for Tongs at once, and let him only know what’s in the wind; then ask Brooks, and he will be sure to force him to come.  Say nothing of the boy; let him stay or come, as they think proper.  To ask all might make them suspicious.  They’ll both come.  They never yet resisted a spiritual temptation.  When here, ply them well, and then we shall go on according to circumstances.  Brooks carries the keys along with him:  get him once in for it, and I’ll take them from him.  If he resists, or any of them—­”

“Knock ’em down?”

“Ay, quickly as you say it!”

“Well, but how if they do not bring the boy, and they leave him in the jail?”

“What then!  Can’t we knock him down too?”