Where is he now, and have you any news from Charlottesville?"

"He went back to Virginny an' give up the enterprise down on the
Kanawha. Saw a man the other day who said he heard yer father had
joined the men under Lewis. Now if he'd come along with us we'd had a
family gatherin' right out here in the woods. The family's well, I
reckon, or yer dad wouldn't hev gone sojerin'."

The next day the expedition left the river and began a march toward an
Indian settlement known as Wappatomica Town. In the order of this
march the division under Captain Wood went ahead, much to the disgust
of some of the men with Morgan, for they were greedy for glory, and a
chance to win laurels and the consequent promotions.

As they were marching through a part of the country through which
Rodney had passed in his flight, he remarked to Ferguson, "I don't
envy the fellows on ahead when they come to a place about a mile from
here. If I know anything about Indians, they'll lie in wait for us
there," and he described a locality where he had hidden from a party
of savages, one of the critical experiences in his flight.

"Me lad, you come with Ferguson," and Rodney was conducted by him to
Morgan and introduced.

"Well, my boy, if you got out alive we ought to be able to get in."

"Captain Morgan, from where I lay in hiding that day a dozen men could
shoot down fifty marching below."

"This lad, Captain, knows what he's talking about. The chief of the
village where he was captive was the redskin that shot ye through the
neck and chased ye an' threw his hatchet at yer head."

"Yes, Ahneota said the Great Spirit turned the tomahawk aside so that
you might live to persecute the Indians."

"I hope the old rascal was right. I think, young man, we'll need you
for scout duty."

"Askin' yer pardon, Captain, but the lad's had his share o' risk, to
my thinkin'."

"Nick, we are here to do something. Every man must do the best he can.
This boy can do that work better than you or I. If you were the best
man would ye shirk it?"

"I'll go, Captain," replied Ferguson, "but don't send the boy."

"I want to do what I can, Captain Morgan," said Rodney.

"I can tell 'em, Ferguson, I can tell 'em," and the look of approval
Morgan gave the boy as he spoke was one for which Rodney Allison would
have stormed an Indian town alone and single handed.

"Now, young man, you run ahead and warn Wood. Tell him Morgan sent
ye."

Rodney ran forward with alacrity,