Such a remedy, so roughly employed, was very soon quite efficacious. The sick man sat up, howling furiously, and trying to escape from their clutches. But the two men, believing in the remedy, continued, and, despite all their victim could say, despite his prayers, howls, and curses, he finally had to submit to the treatment for half an hour. "There you are," cried Joshua; "now try and sleep." "Go to old Nick!" roared Samuel; "I'm skinned alive." "You are as fussy as a woman. We scarcely touched you. Tonight we shall do it again perfectly, and tomorrow you will be quite well," said Joshua. Samuel shuddered, but said nothing; shortly after he, however, slept soundly. At night the two men came again, and, despite his lamentations, protestations, and prayers, continued to rub him as before, with all the vigour of which their hands and arms were capable. Then Joshua told his brother to go to sleep, promising if in the morning he was not quite well to give him one more dose. But Samuel was up first, and when they came to find him, he was dressed, singing "Yankee Doodle." His brother was delighted, and while wishing him joy, highly eulogised his remedy, the very mention of which caused Samuel to shudder. He was then questioned as to his adventure, which he related, leaving out all mention, however, of George Clinton. They were at breakfast, and everyone listened with avidity. The ladies especially, who were weary of their journey, heard the description of the beautiful valley with extreme delight. "To conclude, I beg to remark," Samuel wound up by saying, "that I never saw a spot better suited for a settlement." "We shall see," drily remarked Joshua. Samuel knew his brother well, and was well aware how he should be treated. "As for myself," he added, with indifference, "I don't care where or when we stop. As we have gone so far in the desert, what matters fifty leagues more or less? Let us then go ahead. Push on by all means, even as far as the Bay of Hudson." "I don't want to go as far as that," cried Joshua; "if the valley's anything like what you say, perhaps we may stop." "Well, perhaps it may not suit you. Everybody, you know, to their taste," continued Samuel. "I shall judge for myself," replied Joshua. "If we are to stop here all day," Samuel urged, quite satisfied, "I and Harry will fetch the deerskin." "Why not go with me?" said his brother. "I shall be delighted with your company." "Then, by Jove, we'll all go. It will be a walk. Harry, Sam, Jack, tell Sandy to be ready for a start. Let the camp be raised. Tonight we will camp in the valley and examine it at our ease." "You raise the camp for so small a journey?" said Mrs. Dickson. "Does it displease you, mistress?" "No. But it is a useless fatigue for horses and men." "I shall do as I think proper," said the squatter, drily, as he went to hurry his men. Samuel Dickson and the ladies smiled. They knew now they would stop in the valley.