arned several tricks. Nat, do
you want to go home?"

Nat pawed the ground twice and whinnied vigorously.

"That's his way of saying yes, isn't it, Nat, boy?"

The colt's answer was to thrust his velvety muzzle caressingly against
the lad's cheek, blinking his large purplish eyes the while.

He was truly a fine animal with breeding in every line, dark bay in
colour, with a black stripe running from mane to tail.

Seeing an opportunity, Rodney said: "Mr. Jefferson, may I ask your
advice?"

"Certainly you may."

"I--I'm afraid father made a mistake when he bought our place of
old--er Mr. Denham. I've been told two other men bought it and made a
failure, having a mortgage on it. I don't know whether father gave
Denham a mortgage, but I do know that, while he wants to go out on the
Ohio and take up his soldier's claim to land, he doesn't think it wise
to leave home, I suppose on account of debts. I feel sure he ought to
go. I want to go with him, but if I can do more by staying at home I
ought to. Don't you think he should go?"

"Was the boy seeking a loan?" thought Jefferson, but he said: "I would
not like to advise. Your father doubtless knows better than we what is
best. There is great eagerness on the part of many people to seek new
homes in the great West, but many who go over the mountains will
return poorer than they went, and many others will never return at
all. That part of the country has a glorious future, and there's much
excitement over the prospects. The pioneer spirit is resistless, but,
were I your father, I should not wish to take my family. The Indians
are troublesome and growing more restless."

"I would be willing to stay at home if I could earn some money to help
along."

"You ought to be at your studies."

"I suppose so. I've had a pretty good training in the three Rs and am
half way through Caesar. I can study a little in the evenings."

The boy noticed that the look the man gave him was one of warm good
will.

"Indeed, you certainly haven't been idle. Don't give up. Labour and
learn, that must every boy or man do to succeed, and if he learns
thoroughly he'll see that good character is also essential to the
success which endures. I rise at daylight, winter and summer. Yes, my
boy, there is something I can get for you to do, though the recompense
will not be large. I'm having some land surveyed and you could serve
as an assistant and acquire some practical knowledge besides; that is,