And now, captain, here's my tarms; I'll cut you loose from Injun tugs and Injun fires, carry you safe to the Settlements, and give you this here precious sheepskin,--which is jist as much as saying I'll make you the richest man, in farms, flocks, and niggurs, in all Virginny; and you shall marry the gal, and make a lady of her!" "Marry her!" cried Roland, in amazement and consternation,--"marry her!" "Ay, captain! that's the word," said Atkinson: "I have an idea you'll make her a good husband, for you're an honest feller, and a brave one--I'll say that for you; and she'll make you a good wife, or I'll give you my scalp on it.

I reckon the crittur has a liking for you already; for I never did see any body so beg, and plead, and take on for mortal feller.

Marry her's the tarms; and, I reckon, you'll allow, they're easy ones ?" "My good friend, you are surely jesting!" said the Virginian.

"I will do for her whatever you can wish, or demand.

The best farm in the whole estate shall be hers, and the protection of my kinswoman will be cheerfully and gratefully granted." "As for jesting, captain," said the renegade, with a lowering brow, "there's not one particle of it about me, from top to toe.