The native American., 1840-02-01

forehead, with the vast volume which composed
the back part si his head mightb be much puzzled
TO decide whether his intellectual or animal ma
ture would most predominate IN his character
dis dress, which was somewhat singular for
the times, consisted of high heavy boots, buff
breeches and doublet, with high colaTed, white
shag coat Of the frock kind, all Of which was
sur onItci by fine, though somewhat worn
beaver, stouched, except the front part when
was turned up SO as 10 give an additional bold
ness to his large features and to impart some
what o! bandi, aspect to his appearance. This,
to ordinary observation, completed his outward
equipment; though closer inspection might
have revesled the shape of stout pistol swell
linz III" smooth and snugly setting leather over
each of his brceches pockets while the buck
horn handle of large war-knile might occa-
,sionay be seen proruding from It's sheath at
tached to the side lining of his coat.
Placing the heavy rifle which be bore in his
hand iii the corner, the stranger now advanced,
and, with an air # easy unconcern, seated himself
by the side Of his host in the family circle ronnd
The fire. =
My name is Hendee," at length said the
Captain, evidently not wholly at his ease in the
presence OF his bold and fearful looking visitor
. my name is Hendee, and being no great stick
rr for ceremony, hope shall be excused, sir
| IL sa, ing that it always affords me pleasure to
know by what name may address my guest"
That's right" bluui'y commenced the
stranger in reply, and you got at it ingeniously
lon, by George"
- meant no offence, Sir" ~.
20, no, but let me see-it is nov May, is it
no,:"
Yes, Sir" ....
We'll then, for the month of May, my name
is Smith" -,
Sir did rightly understand you, Sir"
IL presume sol said Smith, because there
are more of that name than any other"
Yes Sir but what follows from that?"
'Why of course, Sir, that you stand better
chance to set my right name: men will lie like
the devil sometimes, you knOWE'
''ReA!iv, Sir ~ said the Captain, his eyes be-
ginning 10 shoot fire at this apparently intended
iusnIt, "rcaliv, Sir, | cannot understand your
drift, if you do not mean to offer US an aront."
Ha |! al" roarrd the stranger in voice
that shook the honse we'll now, it that amt
a good onv ha ha ha Why, no, friend, . he
continued iamliary turning towards the other,
and giving him "a rough slap on the shoulder,
F" no, no. friend but you ast said you was no
great stickler for ceremony-no more amt |, as
you SEE. So let us b. honest and live up to our
professions" ~.
Ca plain perfectly at a loss what to make Of his
strange guest, and though still vexed, yet now
h aif ashamed of the feeling he had shown-"and
yet Sir, | have met, in the course of my life,
but with few honest men, who where afraid to
tell their names"
"Why the truth is" replied the other with
an air of much seriousness, "that you are all
such uuarresoue curses, down here in the
Grants, that a stranger, like myself, cant safely
travel among you by any other name than Smith,
il he had one. As to myself don't know, in
the strictly legal sense of the thing, that have
any namr-to speak of except Smith; for still
stick to Smith, mind ye-that is, for the month
of May"
"WrlI we'll, have it as you will, man" oh.
served Hendee, now softening down, and begin
ming to be amused in spite of himself at the
blunt drollery of the other. "But must say,
you are the greatest oddity have met with for
many day."
hat may be friend" said the stranger his
countpnance assuming the cast Of sincerity 'but
rs you, like wise man, have concluded not to
be offended at nonsense, let US talk sense little
Captain Hendee, man Of your intelligence and
observation cannot but have long since noticed
the quarrel that has been brewing between us
colonies and the mother country"
81 have. Sir; and with the most painful re-
gret" was the guarded reply.
"And those Bostonians and Virgnans who
have taken the lead in the resistance to the
Kings authority" resumed the stranger again,
assuming an equvocal look, and fixing his eyes
keenly on the couutcnance Of the other those
fellows are set of Chrstless knaves, for their
rebellion, you agrees"
"Kuaves How so, Sir" replied the Captain
hastily, and with look that betrayed more of
his feelings than he intended should have been
revealed to a stranger, and especially to one who
apparently entertained sentiments on this subject
% different from those which he had SO long
privately cherished
"Ahav' eagerly exclaimed the stranger with
evident delight, "ss the wind in that quarter,
really, and truly Well, am not disappointed
in you, after all, think God =
| " Yes, but you, S,r"'-said the Captain, again
conf unded at the seemingly contradictory Ian
guage and manner Of the other, hat did you
say but a moment since -
What did say? 0 pooh that is no'hingn'
piled the stranger. 4" But again, and seriously,
Captain Hendee, Oor | am now satisfied that it
4