l strong enough to make me feel that my decision is
for his benefit. We must not here put the value upon a _finished_
education which we used to do. Let us give him every advantage which the
peculiarity of his position will allow us to do; but we are now in the
woods, to a certain degree returned to a state of nature, and the first
and most important knowledge, is to learn to gain our livelihoods."

"Well, my dear, I think you are correct in your views on the subject,
and therefore, John, you may go to school with Malachi Bone; come to see
us when you can, and I expect you to turn out the Nimrod of the west."

Old Malachi stared at the conclusion of this speech; Alfred observed his
surprise, and burst into a fit of laughter. He then said, "The English
of all that is, Malachi, that my brother John has my father's leave to
go with you, and you're to make a man of him."

"He who made him must make a man of him," replied Bone: "I can only make
him a good hunter, and that I will, if he and I are spared. Now, master,
if Martin will give me the powder and lead, I'll be off again. Is the
boy to go?"

"Yes, if you desire it," replied Mrs. Campbell; "come, John, and wish me
good-by and remember your promise."

John bade farewell to the whole party with all due decorum, and then
trotted off after his schoolmaster.

CHAPTER XIII.

In the course of a week or two, things found their places, and the
family began to feel more comfortable; there was also a degree of
regularity and order established, which could not be effected during the
time that the soldiers were employed. Mrs. Campbell and Percival took
upon them all the work inside and round the house during the morning;
the latter attending to the pigs and fowls, bringing water from the
stream, etc. Mary and Emma milked the cows, and then assisted their
mother during the day in washing, etc. Mr. Campbell instructed Percival,
worked in the garden, and assisted as much as he could, where he might
be found most useful; but he was too advanced in years to be capable of
much hard work. Alfred, Henry and Martin Super were employed during the
whole day, clearing the ground and felling the timber; but every other
day, one or the other went out with Martin into the woods to procure
food, bringing home with them deer, wild turkeys, or other game, which
with an occasional piece of salt-pork, and the fish caught, were
sufficient for the family consumption. Percival was now permi