"Yes; they are cutting down trees and clearing the ground. This will be so much gained, as the season is far advanced, and we have not a moment to lose if we would have our settlement quite ready for the winter." All this while the caravan was advancing, and by degrees had got halfway through the defile. "This narrow way might easily be stopped," said Joshua. "Very useful idea, as many redskins are about." "But we are very numerous." "Yes; but if we are attacked we have no neighbours to help us, and must count only on ourselves alone." "We shall be sufficient," drily responded Joshua. "I hope so, and yet I doubt if the Indians leave us in peaceable possession if game is as abundant as I believe." "Bah! Who cares? If the Indians come we will give them such a reception as shall astonish them." "Who lives longest will see the most. It is best to be prudent," responded Samuel. The squatter, half angry at his brother's manner, gave up the conversation, and, spurring his horse, disappeared. "Now," said Samuel, with a smile, as the other rode off, "you may be satisfied. Joshua is sufficiently annoyed at my opposition to become seriously obstinate. Nothing will make him change his mind now." "Perhaps you went a little too far." "Not a bit, I only stimulated him." "But what you said about the Indians made me seriously uneasy. Are there any about?" "I suppose so, as we are in the very centre of their territory. They may not attack us if let alone." "But this valley may belong to them." "Then we shall have to negotiate with the tribe to which the place belongs. We shall buy it of the redskins--a thing done every day." "You ought to know Joshua better by this time. He will take the land, and refuse all compromises." "I know him; but should the contingency come, we must make him listen to reason. But look, we are entering on the confines of this garden of Eden, which henceforth will be all our own," cried Samuel. "What a magnificent country!" cried the squatter's wife. Miss Diana, despite her sadness and habit of concentrated thought, could not restrain an exclamation of surprise at the sight of the grand spectacle before her. "Don't be too enthusiastic," said Samuel. "Here is Joshua." A hundred paces off Joshua had halted, his sons beside him on horseback, gun in hand. The squatter held the American flag in his right hand. As soon as all the waggons were in the valley he signed to everybody to advance. All the serving men and women surrounded the squatter. His wife, daughter, and Samuel remained in the waggon. The squatter, making his horse prance, waved the American flag over his head, then he planted the staff in the earth, and cried in a loud firm voice: "I take possession of this wild territory by the right of the first occupant I proclaim myself its sole lord and master, and if anyone, white or black, dares to claim it, I will defend myself to the last gasp." "Hurrah! Long live America!" cried all.