The old man and I chatted, while the young wife prepared the supper, which, in the West, especially with travellers, is a hearty meal, the rule being to eat but twice a day, Consequently, the preparation for supper was no small affair. There was evidently, however, a shyness and reserve about him, which I did not at first exactly comprehend. Subsequent experience would have enlightened me on that subject at once, but it was some time before I discovered that he had a great dread of "land speculators," and suspected me for being one of those much-dreaded animals, so unpopular in all new countries, I was not ignorant of the great curiosity of all mankind, and particularly of those removed from much society, and I might have adopted Franklin's plan of telling him my name, business, and residence if I had not taken peculiar pleasure in watching his plan of attack to unravel the mystery of my appearance in "those parts." Beside, it was as pleasant a way as any to beguile the time before supper.
"Well, stranger," said he, "if I may make so bold, what might your name be?"
"Not bold at all," replied I, "but a very natural question indeed, Sir. My opinion is that Glasgow will some day become a very large and flourishing city. By the way, can you tell me, Sir, is there much land about here to be had at government price?"
"Why you see," continued he, "my business of intertainin' travellers is not very agreeable. I git many a customer that don't look fit to be trusted with a night's lodgin';" and, glancing above the door with a sort of blood-or-money expression to see that his never-failing rifle was there, continued; "but you see I keep a close watch on 'em, and if any 'scapes me they 're welcome to all they git."
"Indeed," said I, "I should think from your phrenological developments that you were a very benevolent man, and I have no doubt that as you have lived in this country for many years, and know all about the lands, that you would take great pleasure in pointing out to a stranger such as are vacant."
"Well," rejoined he, "I should think you came from Kentuck. There 's a great many land-hunters from Kentuck and Virginy looking about Howard county, and I do n't see what for, nuther. There's many counties just above this where land is much better and plentier."
