"
"Well, Tom," cried I, "what have you got to say to this?"
"Now, cuss you, don't come foolin' about me," replied that worthy,
aiming a blow at me, which, had it taken place, might well have felled
Goliah; but which, as I sprang aside, wasting its energies on the
impassive air, had well nigh floored the striker. "Don't you come
foolin' about me--you knows right well I called you, and you knows, too,
you almost cried, and told me to clear out, and let you git an hour's
sleep; for by the Lord you thought Archer and I was made of steel!--you
couldn't and you wouldn't--and now you wants to know the reason why you
warn't along with us!"
"Never mind the old thief, Frank," said Archer, seeing that I was on the
point of answering, "even his own aunt says he is the most notorious
liar in all Orange county--and Heaven forbid we should gainsay that most
respectable old lady!"
Into what violent asseveration our host would have plunged at this
declaration, remains, like the tale of Cambuscan bold, veiled in deep
mystery; for as he started from the log on which he had been reposing
while in the act of unsplicing his bamboo fishing pole, the elder of the
Teachmans thrust his head out of the cabin nearest to us--"Come, boys,
to breakfast! "--and at the first word of his welcome voice, Tom made,
as he would have himself defined it, stret tracks for the table.
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