My dad was born in Ireland, yet he
always counted himself a full-blooded American."
The old man found a parallel in his father's nativity, which satisfied
himself of the legitimacy of the ground taken by the pedler, and helped
the latter out of his difficulty.
"But here's the whiskey standing by us all the time, waiting patiently
to be drunk. Here, Nick Snell, boy, take your hands out of your
breeches-pocket, and run down with the calabash to the branch. The water
is pretty good thar, I reckon; and, strannger, after we've taken a sup,
we'll eat a bite, and then lie down. It's high time, I reckon, that we
do so."
It was in his progress to the branch that Ralph Colleton came upon this
member of the family.
Nick Snell was no genius, and did not readily reply to the passing
inquiry which was put to him by the youth, who advanced upon the main
party while the dialogue between the pedler and the wagoner was in full
gust. They started, as if by common consent, to their feet, as his
horse's tread smote upon their ears; but, satisfied with the appearance
of a single man, and witnessing the jaded condition of his steed, they
were content to invite him to partake with them of the rude cheer which
the good-woman was now busied in setting before him.
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