"Terms were soon settled, and Crosby proved quite knowing and helpful."

* * * * *

"What noise is that?' asked Crosby, while he and the farmer were at
work--'can it be thunder?'

"'More like cannon,' said the farmer--'loud talk below, I rather
guess.'

"'Hard times for Washington just now,' observed Crosby, 'and _some_
think pretty justly.'

"'Why,' said the farmer, 'why--it won't do to speak all one thinks--
but--well--why don't _you_ turn soldier--you look as though you could
fight, upon a _pinch_?'

"'Well, I think, I might,' said Crosby. 'Have you any place of
enlistment hereabouts, that a body could join, if one were so minded?'

"'Why,' replied the farmer, 'I don't know but I could put you in a
way, if you are one of the right sort of men.'

"'What sort do you wish?' inquired Crosby.

"'Oh, lower party men--they are more fashionable hereabouts.'

"'Well, I like to be in the fashion, wherever I am,' observed Crosby.