CHAPTER III.
INTRODUCES A LEGAL PORCUPINE.
This was the voice of the Squire.

It came just in time to create a diversion.
"Why, there are my antlers!" cried the good-humored Squire.

"Look, Rushton! did you ever see finer!" "Often," growled a voice in reply; and the Squire and his companion entered.
Mr.Rushton was a rough-looking gentleman of fifty or fifty-five, with a grim expression about the compressed lips, and heavy grey eyebrows, from beneath which rolled two dark piercing eyes.

His hair was slowly retreating, and thought or care had furrowed his broad brow from temple to temple.

He was clad with the utmost rudeness, and resembled nothing so much as a half-civilized bear.
He nodded curtly to Miss Lavinia, and took no notice whatever of either Redbud or Verty.
"Why, thank for the antlers, Verty!" said the good-humored Squire.
"I saw Cloud, and knew you were here, but I had no idea that you had brought me the horns." And the Squire extended his hand to Verty, who took it with his old dreamy smile.
"I could have brought a common pair any day," he said, "but I promised the best, and there they are.