"This is not a time of peace, Mr. Morgan. We are on the eve of war and stupendous conquests. I speak advisedly. I am a soldier myself. You have heard rumors of war on the Sabine?" "Yes; rumors. The Morgans are a military family, also; and I feel fighting blood stir in me when I read about the Spaniards." "Does the red stuff boil? Your blood is right. You can't help it. If you, or your younger brother--I believe you have a brother besides the general?" "Yes, George. My name is Thomas. They call me Tom." "Tom, eh? Well, then, Tom, I was about to say if you and your brother George--" "Spur up, gentlemen, we are leaving you behind," shouted General Morgan, looking back. "We are within half a mile of father's residence." "More talk another time," said Burr, not finishing his sentence, and the pair, urging their horses to a faster gait came up with the others. Just then the party met a robust countryman who saluted the Morgans, as he trotted by on a skittish colt. "What a fine-looking fellow! I wish I had ten thousand just such vigorous young giants!" "What would you do with them?" the general asked. "Ten thousand would form a large colony. That is one of the farm hands. Those are our barns and the house is just beyond." On their arrival, Colonel George Morgan stood on the porch to receive his guests. A well-preserved old gentleman, he might have said: "My age is as a lusty winter, Frosty, but kindly." His career had been eventful, aggressive, venturesome, and romantic. At the close of the Revolutionary War he felt aggrieved because of the non-payment of claims he held against the Government. Odium attached to his name on account of his procuring from Spain a grant of lands west of the Mississippi, on which he founded the village of New Madrid. He had expressed sympathy for Aaron Burr, whom he regarded as a much-abused statesman. The prevailing sentiment among army men justified the duel with Hamilton. After dinner, the visitors repaired to the parlor, where was held a conversation in which Burr was the principal talker. More virulent and less discreet than usual, he indulged in witty flings at public men and roundly censured the administration, not aware that most of his auditors heard him with impatience. Colonel Morgan attempted to introduce another theme, by referring to the rapid spread of population westward. "When I first went out West on my New Madrid scheme, there was scarcely a family between the Alleghanies and the Ohio. Now we have three great States. We shall have to remove the National capital to Pittsburg." "No, never," said Burr, positively. "In less than five years you will be totally divided from the Eastern States." "God forbid! I hope no such disaster will come in my time."