"Then I must take the law into my own hands," rejoined I, falling into very old-fashioned phraseology--for I was beginning to feel indignant at the very idea of this prospective difficulty. "No, Warfield," replied my sober friend, "do not take that course; I know you are not the man to be _scared_ out of your rights; but, in the present case, prudence is the proper course to follow.--Your squatter, if there be one--it is to be hoped that, like many of our grand cities, he has only an existence on the map--but if there should be a real live animal of this description on the ground, he will be almost certain to have neighbours--some half-dozen of his own kidney--living at greater or less distances around him. They are not usually of a clannish disposition; but, in a matter of this kind, they will be as unanimous in their sympathies, and antipathies too, as they would about the butchering of a bear. Turn one of them out by force--either legal or otherwise--and it would be like bringing a hornets' nest about your ears. Even were you to succeed in so clearing your land, you would find ever afterwards a set of very unpleasant neighbours to live among. I know some cases in point, that occurred nearer home here. In fact, on some wild lands of my own I had an instance of the kind." "What, then, am I to do? Can you advise me?" "Do as others have often done before you; and who have actually been forced to the course of action I shall advise. _Should there be a squatter_, and one likely to prove obstinate, approach him as gently as you can, and state your case frankly. You will find this the best mode of treating with these fellows--many of whom have a dash of honour, as well as honesty in their composition. Speak of the _improvements_ he has made, and offer him a recompense." "Ah! friend Blount," replied I, addressing my kind host by his baptismal name, "it is much easier to listen to your advice than follow it." "Come, old comrade!" rejoined he, after a momentary pause, "I think I understand you. There need be no concealment between friends, such as we are. Let not that difficulty hinder you from following the course I have recommended. The old general's property is not all gone yet; and, should you stand in need of a hundred or two, to make a _second_ purchase of your plantation, send me word, and--" "Thanks, Blount--thanks! it is just as I should have expected; but I shall not become your debtor for such a purpose. I have been a frontiersman too long to be bullied by a backwoodsman--" "There now, Warfield, just your own passionate self! Nay, you must take my advice. Pray, do not go rashly about it, but act as I have counselled you."