r all, this was but a thieving expedition
and they might adopt him as a member of the tribe, a thought which
strangely enough brought comfort to the boy's heart. He loved the
woods and did not love the Vuysens. The savages could not know this
and so, though he had no thought of trying to escape, they bound him.
Although his bonds were uncomfortable he slept soundly, while Rodney,
down in Virginia in his comfortable bed, passed a restless night; all
of which helps to prove that it does not always depend so much on what
one has, as on what one thinks about it.

When Rodney came down to breakfast the next morning he was resolved to
urge his father to make a pioneer home in the wonderful West he had
heard so many tales about, out where there was plenty of big game and
where there were broad acres to be had for the taking.

Not until he had nearly finished his breakfast did he screw up his
courage to the point of carrying out his resolve. Then he said:
"Father, I've heard you say there is land out on the Ohio River which
you can have because of your service in the last war. Why don't we
settle on it? This place has nothing for us with the squire for an
enemy, and not much at best."

"You little know of the perils, my lad. Surely ye wouldna' ha' the
mother an' little one killed by the savages? But I'm minded to say
that a venture into the western part o' this colony is much to my
liking this morning. From all I can learn a poor man in those parts is
not so hedged aboot as here."

Neither father nor son thought of the generally observed fact that
when a poor man began to seek a home where land was cheap he usually
became a pioneer with his face turned toward the West, the great
longing for a better home luring him toward the richer lands said to
lie beyond the mountains.

CHAPTER III

HOW RODNEY AND ANGUS BECAME FRIENDS

"Say, Sim, what's the story you's goin' to tell, the one yer cousin
told ye?"

"Yes, tell us about it, Sim."

The pupils of the cabin school were having recess. A few weeks before
David Allison had moved his family up to Charlottesville from the
"tide-water country," and had opened this school.

"Well, ye see--" began Sim.

"Yes, we see all right, but thar ain't much fun lookin' at you gittin'
ready to tell a story. You sure are slower'n our ol' nigger,
Absalom."

"Give Sim a chance!"

Angus MacGregor spoke as one with authority and his stockily built
body looked capable of enforcing