Harper's Round Table, September 8, 1896

Copyright, 1896, by Harper & Brothers. All Rights Reserved.

Some weeks were spent at Greenway Court, and George slipped back into the same life he had led for so long in the autumn. Instead, however, of reading in the evenings, Lord Fairfax and himself spent the time in studying rude maps of the region to be explored, and talking over the labors of the coming summer. The Earl told George that William Fairfax had heard of the proposed expedition, and was so anxious to go as George's assistant that his father was disposed to gratify him if it could be arranged.
But I shall not communicate with him until I have talked with you, George, said the Earl; for William, although a hardy youngster, and with some knowledge of surveying, is still but a lad, and there might be serious business in hand. However, this season's surveys are not to be far from here, so that if you care for his company I see no reason why he should not go.
I should be very glad to have him, replied George, blushing a little. I did a very unhandsome thing to William Fairfax while we were at Mount Vernon at Christmas, and he was so manful about it that I think more of him than ever, and I believe he would be an excellent helper.
An unhandsome thing? repeated the Earl, in a tone of inquiry.
Knocked him sprawling, sir, in my brother's house. My brother was very much offended with me, and I was ashamed of myself.
But you are good friends now?
Better than ever, sir, for William behaved as well as I behaved ill, and if he is willing to come with me I shall be glad to have him.
I shall send an express, then, to Belvoir, and William will be here in a few days. And now I have something else to propose to you. My man Lance is very anxious to see the new country, although he has not directly asked my permission to go; but the poor fellow has served me so faithfully that I feel like indulging him. Only a lettered man, my dear George, can stand with cheerfulness this solitude month after month and year after year as I do, and although Lance is a man of great natural intelligence, he never read a book through in his life, so that his time is often heavy on his hands. I think a few months of mountaineering would be a godsend to him in his lonely life up here, and I make no doubt at all that you would be glad to have him with you.