American fiction -- 19th century; Historical fiction; Indians of North America -- Fiction
“That's partly because you don't know ME, and partly because you don't
know DOLLY. As for leaving hum, with anybody to kear for it, I should
like to know who is more to the purpose than Dolly Waring? I haven't no
idee that even bees would dare get upon HER! If they did, they'd soon
get the worst on't Her tongue is all-powerful, to say nawthin' of her
arms; and if the so'gers can only handle their muskets as she can handle
a broom, there is no need of new regiments to carry on this war.”
Now, nothing could be more false than this character; but a drunkard has
little regard to what he says.
“I am glad your garrison is so strong,” answered the beehunter,
thoughtfully; “but mine is too weak to stay any longer, out here in
the openings. Whiskey Centre, I intend to break up, and return to the
settlement, before the red-skins break loose in earnest. If you will
stay and lend me a hand to embark the honey and stores, and help
to carry the canoe down the river, you shall be well paid for your
trouble.”
“Waal, I'd about as lief do that, as do anything else. Good jobs is
scarce, out here in the wilderness, and when a body lights of one, he
ought to profit by it. I come up here thinkin' to meet you, for I heer'n
tell from a voyager that you was a-beeing it, out in the openin's, and
there's nawthin' in natur' that Dolly takes to with a greater relish
than good wild honey. 'Try whiskey,' I've told her a thousand times,
'and you'll soon get to like THAT better than all the rest of creation';
but not a drop could I ever get her, or Blossom, to swallow. It's true,
that leaves so much the more for me; but I'm a companionable crittur,
and don't think I've drunk as much as I want, unless I take it
society-like. That's one reason I've taken so mightily to you, Bourdon;
you're not much at a pull, but you an't downright afeared of a jug,
neither.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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