"I think we had better hire out Clip to him. He needs a little discipline like that sort."
"Oh golly, massa Bob! I couldn't stand it nohow," said Clip, with a comical expression of alarm. "Massa Wolverton's the meanest white man I ever seed. Wish an earthquake would come and swallow him up."
"Your father was round to see my uncle this morning," said Sam.
"Yes, I know; he went to pay him some interest money."
"Your father is a nice gentleman. I wish I was his nephew," said poor Sam, enviously.
"Yes, Sam; he's always kind. He's a father to be proud of."
"By the way, Sam, I've got some good news for you."
"Your uncle carried home a pair of prairie chickens this morning. You'll have one good dinner, at least."
"And you gave them to him?" asked Sam, surprised.
"Well, yes, after a little squabble," and Bob related the adventure of the morning.
"How brave you are, Bob!" said Sam admiringly. "You actually had a quarrel with Uncle Aaron?"
"Yes," answered Bob, with a smile. "When I got through, your uncle was lying on his back resting. I threw down two of the chickens, as much for your sake as any other reason. I hope you'll get your share."
"I saw the chickens in the kitchen before I came away, and wondered where they came from. I knew Uncle Aaron wouldn't buy them."
"I can't help it, Bob. He flogs me sometimes with a horsewhip."
"I'd like to see him try it on me," said Bob, with emphasis. "But as I said before, you'll be a man some time, Sam, and then he won't dare touch you."
When Richard Burton left the office of Aaron Wolverton, he did not return home immediately. He had a business call to make in the next township, and drove over there. Finding that he was likely to be detained, he went to the hotel to dine, and, the day being warm, sat on the piazza and smoked a cigar afterwards. It was not until four o'clock that he turned his horse's head in the direction of Carver.
The horse he drove was young and untrained. It would have been dangerous for an unskillful driver to undertake to manage him. Robert Burton, however, thoroughly understood horses, and was not afraid of any, however fractious. But he had been persuaded to drink a couple of glasses of whisky by acquaintances at the hotel, and he was easily affected by drink of any kind. So his hand was not as strong or steady as usual when he started on his homeward journey.