be sent to school; no master
shall flog me--I'm a man."

"Nor me," cried Percival.

The Colonel and Mr and Mrs Campbell, as well as the elder portion of
the party, could not help smiling at the exclamations of the two boys.
They had both played the part of men, and it was but too evident how
unfitted they would be for future scholastic discipline.

"You shall neither of you go to school," replied Mr Campbell, "but
still you must render yourselves fit for your stations in life, by
improving your minds, and attending to those who will instruct you."

It is hard to say whether much real joy was felt by any of the party at
the prospect of returning to England. It is true that Mary Percival was
delighted at the idea of not being so far away from her aunt and uncle,
and that Emma was better pleased to be in England for reasons which she
kept to herself. But it was not the coming into the large property
which occasioned pleasure to any of them. However, if there was not
much pleasure derived from this re-accession to properly, Mr and Mrs
Campbell knew their duty too well to hesitate, and every preparation was
commenced for their return along with Alfred and Captain Sinclair.
John, however, still continued obstinate in declaring that he would not
go, and Percival was very much of John's opinion, although he did not
speak so plainly.

When Mr and Mrs Campbell were alone, the former said to his wife--

"I do not know what to do about John. He appears so resolute in his
determination not to go with us, that I fear he will run away into the
woods at the time of our departure. He is now continually with Malachi
and Martin, and appears to have severed himself from his family."

"It is hard to decide, Campbell; I have more than once thought it would
be better to leave him here. He is our youngest son. Henry will, of
course, inherit the estate, and we shall have to provide for the others
out of our savings. Now this property, by the time John is of age, will
be of no inconsiderable value, and by no means a bad fortune for a
younger son. He appears so wedded to the woods and a life of nature,
that I fear it would only be the cause of continual regret and
discontent if we did take him to England, and if so, what comfort or
advantage should we gain by his returning? I hardly know what to
advise."

"I have serious thoughts of leaving him here, under the charge of Martin
and Malachi," replied Mr Campbell. "He would be ha