Only jealousy of others and a desire to be first in her mind possessed me,--a fierce wish to clear out this rabble of suitors which seemed to gather in a very swarm wherever she passed,--so that she should turn to me alone, lean upon me, trust only me in the world to lend her countenance, shelter her, and defend her. And, though God knows I meant her no wrong, nor had passion, so far, played any rôle in this my ridiculous behaviour, I had not so far any clear intention in her regard. A fierce and selfish longing obsessed me to drive others off and keep her for my own where in some calm security we could learn to know each other. And this--though I did not understand it--was merely the romantic desire of a very young man to study, unhurried and untroubled, the first female who ever had disturbed his peace of mind. But all was vain and troubled and misty in my mind, and love--or its fretful changeling--weighed on my heart heavily. But I carried double weight: jealousy is a heavy hag, and I was hag-ridden morn and eve and all the livelong day to boot. All asses are made to be ridden. * * * * * The first snow came, as I have said, like shot-scattered down from a wild-duck's breast. Then days of golden stillness, with mornings growing ever colder and the frost whitening shady spots long after sun-up. I remember a bear swam Vlaie Water, but galloped so swiftly into the bush that no rifle was ready to stop him. We mangered our cattle o' nights; and, as frosty grazing checks milk flow, Nick and I brought in hay from the stacks which the Continental soldiers had cut against a long occupation of Summer House Point. Nights had become very cold and we burned logs all day long in the chimney place. My Indian was snug enough in the kitchen by the oven, where he ate and slept when not on post; and we, above, did very well by the blaze where we roasted nuts and apples and drank new cider from Johnstown and had a cask of ale from the Johnson Arms by waggon. Also, in the cellar, was some store of Sir William's--dusty bottles of French and Spanish wines; but of these I took no toll, because they belonged not to me. But a strange circumstance presently placed these wines in my possession; for, upon a day before the first deep snow fell, comes galloping from Johnstown a man in caped riding coat, one Jerry Van Rensselaer, to nail a printed placard upon our Summer House--notice of sale by the Committee for Sequestration. But who was to read this notice and attend the vendue save only the birds and beasts of the wilderness I do not know; for on the day of the sale, which was conducted by Commissioner Harry Outthout, only some half dozen farmer folk rode hither from Johnstown, and only one man among 'em bid in money--a sullen fellow named Jim Huetson, who had Tory friends, I knew, if he himself were not of that complexion.