The entrance of the stranger into the hall where the emigrants were breakfasting like persons who knew the value of time, caused no small stir; they ceased eating, and, glancing at one another, whispered amongst themselves. The stranger, leaning on his riding whip, looked at them with an odd kind of smile. The chief of the family, though himself somewhat surprised, was the first to recover himself. He rose, held out his hand, and spoke in what he intended should be a jovial tone. The attempt was a failure. "My good brother," he said, "this is indeed a surprise. I really did not expect to see you; but sit down beside my wife and have some breakfast." "Thank you; I am not hungry." "Then excuse me if I finish my meal," continued the emigrant. "Brother," presently said Samuel, "for a man of your age you are acting in an extraordinary manner." "I don't think so," replied the other. "Let me ask you where are you going?" "Northward, to the great lakes." "What is the meaning of this?" "My friend, I am told there is good land to be had but for the taking." "May I ask who put this silly idea in your head?" "No one. It is a splendid country, with splendid forests, water in abundance, a delicious climate, though rather cold, and land for nothing." "Have you seen this beautiful country?" "No; but I know all about it." "Do you?" sneered the other; "Well, beware of the creeks." "Never you fear. Wherever there is water there are bridges." "Of course; and now may I ask, what have you done with your magnificent southern property?" the other asked. "I have sold it, slaves and all, keeping only such as were willing to follow me. I brought away all that could travel--my wife, my sons, my daughter, my furniture, my horses, all I wanted." "May I without offence ask you this question: Were you not very well where you were? Did you not find the land excellent?" "I was well off, and the land was excellent." "Were you unable to sell your produce?" "I had an admirable market," was the answer. "Then," cried Samuel, angrily, "what in the devil's name do you mean by giving it up and going to a land where you will find nothing but wild beasts, brutal savages, and a hard and rigorous climate?" The bold adventurer, driven into his last intrenchment, made no reply, only scratching his head in search of a reply. His wife here interfered. "What is the use," she said, smiling, "asking for reasons which do not exist? Joshua is going for the love of change--nothing more. All our lives, as you well know, we have been roaming hither and thither. As soon as we are once comfortably settled anywhere, then we begin to think it time to be off." "Yes! Yes! I know my brother's vagabond habits. But when he is in one of his mad fits, why do you not interfere?" he cried, impetuously. "Brother, you don't know what it is to be married to a wanderer," she said. "Good!" cried Joshua, laughing. "But if you don't find this beautiful country?" asked Samuel.