XVI. A PATRIOT NOT TO BE TAMPERED WITH. Four men on horseback were nearing the country house of Colonel George Morgan, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, living near Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania. Two of the riders were Colonel Morgan's stalwart sons, and they were escorting Aaron Burr and Colonel Dupeister, one of Burr's confederates. The ex-Vice-President rode beside the elder brother, who was an officer of high rank in the militia. "Speaking of Washington County, General Morgan,--are the people of your neighborhood prosperous and contented?" "We are a community of farmers, very prosperous and hopeful. Our population is increasing rapidly. We have no cause for discontent." "What is the condition of the new college at the county seat? I am told there is an educational awakening among your young men." "Yes; we are proud of Jefferson College; the institution is now in its fourth year, and is flourishing beyond expectation." "You call it Jefferson College; it was named for Washington _and_ Jefferson, was it not? The lesser star is in the ascendant, and twinkles amazingly now that the greater has set. Don't you think we are too much be-Jeffersoned?" "Thomas Jefferson is an able man," was the commonplace reply, spoken bluntly, and accompanied by a look of irritation at the sarcastic question. Burr, conscious of the disapproval implied in the officer's curt answer, managed to change partners so as to ride abreast of the younger brother, Thomas, while Dupeister spurred forward and engaged John in discourse on stock-raising and the prospect of crops. With Thomas, an aspiring soul, in the flush of those discursive hopes and speculations which make ambitious youth restless, Burr employed his usual suasive arts, hopeful of winning a recruit. "Your brother and I were speaking about the outlook here, for enterprising citizens. What are your pursuits? Are you a Knight of the Plow?" "No, sir; not permanently; I am trying to make a lawyer of myself." "That's good in a way, as a stepping-stone. The study of the law disciplines the mind, but is not profitable otherwise. The practice is a species of servitude, often a servitude to inferiors, for doubtful reward. Politics is better, but not the best." "What is the best?" "That depends upon the man. Some are easily contented. But I am not sure that contentment is a trait of a noble mind. I used to own negro slaves in New York. They were contented. To rest satisfied is the virtue of slaves." "Yes, the niggers are contented, generally speaking. You were about to say what you think the best profession." "The best for an ignorant African may be bondage to a good master; the best for you would be something more aspiring. I regard military life--the profession of arms, as the highest and most independent." "Not in times of peace."