His son got away when
his father was shot, though they did try to shoot him too, and come post
haste to tell us of the transaction. There stands the lad, his clothes
all bloody and ragged. He's had a good run of it through the bushes, I
reckon."
"And they are now in possession of your lands?"
"Every fellow of 'em, holding on with gun in hand, and swearing to be
the death of us, if we try for our own. But we'll show them what's what,
or I can't fling a hatchet or aim a rifle. This, now, Master Colleton,
is the long and the short of the matter."
"And what do you propose to do?" asked Ralph, of his informant.
"Why, what should we do, do you think, but find out who the best men
are, and put them in possession. There's not a two-legged creature among
us that won't be willing to try that question, any how, and at any time,
but more particularly now, when everything depends upon it."
"And when do you move, Forrester?"
"Now, directly--this very minute. The boys have just sent for some more
powder, and are putting things in readiness for a brush.
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