“I’m willing to bet that most of the thirty owe you money for horseshoeing!” retorted Captain Jared, “and, anyway, Peter, ’tis easy to tell who they are; they are your cronies who spend most of their time in your shop listening to your rhymes making fun of the neighbors, and enjoying it, too. The fools don’t know that you’ll be after themselves soon!” Roars of laughter greeted this thrust at Peter and Obed Sparrow cried: “That’s right, Captain Jared! you are the man to down Peter.” Jared gave Obed a withering glance. “Good Lord, Obed Sparrow!” he exclaimed, “to think of your putting in your oar when you just echo every word that comes from Peter’s mouth! I’ll give Peter the credit of being able to twist you and your fellows about his little finger when he wants your votes; but by George, that’s no reason why you should interfere in this argument.” Obed looked crestfallen at this rebuke. Peter rallied to his support. “Why, Jared, Obed is one of the most independent men in this town, and you know it. Obed’s vote isn’t for sale like some others we know that followed the Strong party, and I don’t mean you by that, Captain Higgins.” Obed was grateful for this testimony to his integrity. He plucked up courage to return to the fray. “Thank you, Master Walker. I suppose Captain Jared also believes that you made the Orleans voters go against Strong! That town gave 101 for Dexter and only 21 for Strong. If all the people there who went against Cale Strong owe you money you must have a lot of names on your books!” “Don’t talk to me about Orleans, Obed Sparrow,” cried Captain Jared; “they are the most pig-headed of all the war party. Simeon Kingman is a firebrand and he is ably assisted by John Kenrick.” “If Squire Kingman and Master John Kenrick are firebrands, Captain Jared, they are backed by their townsmen in the firing. They have always been leading men in their town and they wouldn’t be if they didn’t prove themselves worthy.” “I’m not saying anything against their characters, Obed. They are friends of mine though I don’t agree with their politics. They think they can defy the British fleet! Any fool should know that you can’t beat off a heavily armed force with a few old muskets, and, so far as I know, that’s about all the arms they have.” “Then you don’t believe in fighting, Captain Jared?”