, he
had more reason to be discouraged when he learned that a new enemy
had suddenly appeared, and from a most unexpected quarter, too. That
was the way he looked at the matter at first; but after a little
reflection, he felt more like defying Dan and Lester both. What
business had either of them to interfere with his arrangements, and
say that he should not earn an honest dollar to give his mother, if
he could? None whatever, and he would succeed in spite of them.
He would get that grocery bill off his hands the first thing, and
when he was square with the world, he would go to work in earnest and
outwit all his foes, no matter how numerous or how smart they might
be. He would tell Don all about it and be governed by his advice.

Having come to this determination, David once more, turned his face
toward the General's house. A few minutes' rapid walking brought him
to the barn and there he found the boy he wanted to see. The brothers
had just returned from a short ride--Don was not yet strong enough to
stand his usual amount of exercise--and having turned the ponies over
to the hostler, were on the point of starting for the house, when
David came in.

"Halloo, Dave!" exclaimed Don, who was always the first to greet him.
"Traps all built?"

"Not yet," answered David, trying to look as cheerful as usual.

"You have plenty of nails and timber, I suppose. If not come straight
to us. It will never do to let this thing fall through for want of a
little capital to go on," said Don, who was as much interested in
David's success as though he expected to share in the profits of the
enterprise.

"I have everything I want in the way of nails and boards," replied
David, "but I--you know--may I see you just a minute, Don?"

"Of course you may, or two or three minutes if you wish. Come on,
Bert. I have no secrets from my brother, _now_," said Don with a
laugh. "I kept one thing secret from him and got myself into trouble
by it. If I had told him of it perhaps he would have made me behave
myself. Now what is it?" he added, when the three had drawn up in one
corner of the barn, out of earshot of the hostler.

David was silent. He had made up his mind just what he wanted to say
to Don, but Lester Brigham's sudden appearance and the threats he had
made had scattered all his ideas, and he could not utter a word.

"Speak up," said Bert encouragingly. "You need not hesitate to talk
freely to us. But what's the matter with you? You