n horseback who
had spoken so kindly and who had such pleasant eyes, clear hazel in
colour, and which so invited one's confidence.

David Allison was an enthusiastic admirer of Thomas Jefferson, and,
on coming to Charlottesville, had at his first opportunity called
on him with a letter of introduction. At times he would speak so
enthusiastically that Rodney would notice a smile on his mother's
face as she said: "You should remember, David, that you often have
too much confidence in men. There are those who say that he is
striving to be popular and to win success, and, to please the rabble,
would destroy laws and customs under which the Old Dominion has
flourished."

"Aye, lass, that's true o' the part but not of all. Look ye at the
lack o' schools. Teaching is honourable work in the old country and in
New England. What is it here, an' what chance have the childer to
ither teaching than I'm able to gie them? Thomas Jefferson is an
inspiring leader under God's direction I do believe. He's surely a
fine man to meet an' seems disposed to help our Rodney."

CHAPTER IV

RODNEY'S VISIT TO MONTICELLO

One day there came to David Allison's house a stalwart young man clad
in the typical garb of the hunter, fringed deerskin hunting shirt
belted at the waist, and breeches and moccasins of the same material.

This was no less a person than George Rogers Clark, who was to bear
such a conspicuous part in the Revolution, as a daring leader of the
forces which saved the great territory north of the Ohio River to the
United States. His little brother, then but two years old, was,
thirty-six years later, with Captain Lewis, to conduct the Lewis and
Clark expedition from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean and
thus enable our government to secure the territory of the great
Northwest.

"Cap'n George," as he was familiarly called, was now planning to
establish a settlement near the Ohio River, and had called to interest
David Allison in the project.

Rodney listened with open-eyed attention to Clark's glowing accounts
of fertile lands apparently only waiting for a little enterprise to be
developed into a perfect paradise.

The boy saw that his father was much interested, but hesitated, saying
that circumstances were such that he must remain where he was for a
few years. Rodney thought he knew the reason but said nothing.

"Perhaps you may yet see your way clear, Mr. Allison," said Clark on
leaving. "I expect to p