This I hailed as a fortunate circumstance. If the young hunter lived near the clearing I was in search of, perhaps he could give me all the information I required; and his frank open countenance led me to believe he would not withhold it. It occurred to me, therefore, to make a slight change in my programme. It was yet _early_--for supper in the backwoods is what is elsewhere known as "tea." The sun was still an hour or so above the horizon. My horse had made but a light journey; and nine miles more would be nothing to him. All at once, then, I altered my intention of sleeping at the hotel; and determined, if the young hunter would accept me as a travelling companion, to proceed along with him to Mud Creek. Whether I should find a bed there, never entered into my calculation. I had my great-sleeved cloak strapped upon the cantle of my saddle; and with that for a covering, and the saddle itself for a pillow, I had made shift on many a night, more tempestuous than that promised to be. I was about turning away to speak to the young man, when I was recalled by an exclamation from the landlord:--"I guess," said he, in a half-bantering way, "you hain't told me your business yet?" "No," I answered deferentially, "I have not." "What on airth's takin' you to Holt's Clearin'?" "That, Mr Kipp--I beg pardon--_Colonel_ Kipp--is a private matter." "Private and particular, eh?" "Very." "Oh, then, I guess, you'd better keep it to yourself." "That is precisely my intention," I rejoined, turning on my heel, and stepping out of the verandah. The young hunter was just buckling the girth of his saddle. As I approached him, I saw that he was smiling. He had overheard the concluding part of the conversation; and looked as if pleased at the way in which I had bantered the "colonel," who, as I afterwards learnt from him, was the grand swaggerer of Swampville. A word was sufficient. He at once acceded to my request, frankly, if not in the most elegant phraseology, "I'll be pleased to show ye the way to Holt's Clarin'. My own road goes jest that way, till within a squ'll's jump o't." "Thank you: I shall not keep you waiting." I re-entered the hotel to pay for my entertainment, and give orders for the saddling of my horse. It was evident that I had offended the landlord by my brusque behaviour. I ascertained this by the _amount_ of my bill, as well as by the fact of being permitted to saddle for myself. Even the naked "nigger," did not make his appearance at the stable. Not much cared I. I had drawn the girth too often, to be disconcerted by such petty annoyance; and, in five minutes after, I was in the saddle and ready for the road. Having joined my companion in the street, we rode off from the inhospitable _caravanserai_ of the Jackson Hotel-- leaving its warlike landlord to chew his tobacco, and such reflections as my remarks had given rise to. CHAPTER THIRTEEN. THROUGH THE FOREST.