The stricken wife observing the action, threw herself before the weapon, imploring the enraged host to spare her husband's life. “Well, woman is woman,” soliloquised Dick; “for they'll stick to the devil, ef they ever take a notion to him. If you have the least hankerin' arter the mean varmint, in course I'll let him _slide_; but he must clar out of my diggins--I can't be near whar anythin' of his breed grows,--so arter breakfast we'll separate.” When the morning meal was ended, the stranger drew up his wagon, thrust his companion into it, and sullenly departed, muttering a threatening farewell. “God help that poor creatur,” said Dick, as his late guests disappeared from view, “_she's got a hard row to hoe_, and as for that sarpent with her, he'd better keep out of my tracks. I should be mightily tempted to sarch his carcass to see ef he had a heart in it. Sam,” continued he, “_you're_ a nigger, but thar's more real white man under your black skin than could be found in an acre of such varmints as that _sucker_. Give me your fist, old fellar; while Dick Kelsy's got anythin' in this world, you shall share it!” While this bond of closer friendship was being formed between master and slave, malice was holding her revel in the heart of their late guest. He had observed Dick's love for the spot where he had squatted, and judging rightly that he had neglected to file his claim to it in the Land Office, he stopped a short distance below him, intending to remain, and, if possible gain possession of it. Kelsy had his dislike for the stranger increased by finding him remain on his section, and he ordered him to leave forthwith. The stranger gave as an excuse, that his wife was so sick that she couldn't travel, and ended with a request that he would let him erect a hut to shelter her, while he went in search of a permanent location. In pity for _her_, Dick consented, and the stranger proceeded to prepare timber for a small cabin. The following Saturday the neighbors gathered, and by nightfall placed a roof over their heads, kindly supplied them with some necessaries, and left, each more confirmed in his dislike for the stranger. The next morning he started off, as many supposed, never to return; the natural kindness of the settlers was immediately manifested towards his wife, and nothing that would conduce to her comfort, was lacking in the cabin of this heart-broken woman. After the lapse of several days, contrary to all expectation, the stranger returned, and a visible change was manifested in his manner--his surliness assumed a more impudent and offensive character, and on receiving a further intimation that it was time he was _moving_, he insolently told Dick to “clear out,” himself, for that he, (the stranger,) was the rightful owner of the claim. Dick laughed at him, and told him to be off quietly, that his carcass was safe while that woman clung to him.