He had met Hamilton's glowering look with a peculiarly innocent smile, as if to say: "What in the world is the matter now?
I never felt in a better humor in all my life.

Can't you take a joke, I wonder ?" He did not speak, however, for a rattling volley of musket and rifle shots hit the top of the clay-daubed chimney, sending down into the toddy a shower of soot and dirt.
In a wink every man was on his feet and staring.
"Gentlemen," said Helm, with an impressive oath, "that is Clark's soldiers, and they will take your fort; but they ought not to have spoiled this apple toddy!" "Oh, the devil!" said Hamilton, forcibly resuming a calm countenance, "it is only a squad of drunken Indians coming in.

We'll forego excitement; there's no battle on hand, gentlemen." "I'm glad you think so, Governor Hamilton," Helm responded, "but I should imagine that I ought to know the crack of a Kentucky rifle.

I've heard one occasionally in my life.

Besides, I got a whiff of freedom just now." "Captain Helm is right," observed Farnsworth.