Page 30 - A Hero of Ticonderoga

approaching the border of the clearing, just as the Beemans passed into the
house.

"It won’t come to that, will it?" she asked, in a low, awed voice, as Seth

took down his gun.

"I hope not, but I want the gun out of their reach and where I can get it

handy. There ain’t a bullet or buckshot in the house," he declared, after
examining the empty bullet pouch. "Give me some beans. They’re good

enough for Yorkers."

As he spoke he measured a charge of powder into the long barrel, rammed

a tow wad upon it, poured in a half handful of the beans that Ruth brought
him in a gourd, rammed down another wad, put priming in the pan, clapped

down the hammer, then mounted half way up the ladder that served as a
stair, laid the gun on the floor of the upper room, and was down at the door
when the surveyor led his party to it. He saluted the party civilly, and, upon

demand, gave his name.

"Well, Mr. Beeman," began the surveyor, in a pompous tone, "I sent your
son to bring you to me, but it seems you did not please to come."

"No," said Seth quietly; "it does not please me to leave my affairs at the
beck and call of every stranger that comes this way."

"Well, sir, I’d have you understand that I am Marmaduke Felton, duly
appointed and licensed as a surveyor of His Majesty’s lands within his

province of New York. Furthermore, be it known, I have come here in the
regular discharge of the duties of my office, to fix the bounds of land

purchased by my client, Mr. Erastus Graves," bowing to the person, "of the
original grantees, with patent from His Excellency the Governor, who alone
has authority to grant these lands. I find you, sir, established on these same

lands belonging to my client. What have you to say for yourself? By what
pretended right have you made occupation of lands belonging to my

client?"