“I’ll walk when we come to an extra hard bit of the trail,” said the youth. “I don’t like to crowd a horse too much.”
Soon the party was on its way toward the Shenandoah. The storm had left the sky a clear blue and the sun came out with an unexpected warmth which was just then highly welcome to the Morrises, although Crosby grumbled a little at the heat.
Because of the loads, the progress was slow, and in the middle of the forenoon they halted by the side of a mountain stream, and while the others rested Crosby went fishing and hooked several trout which promised a fine meal for dinner. Then on they went once more, and did not rest again until the bank of the swiftly flowing Shenandoah was gained.
Dinner was at its height when Joseph Morris, chancing to look down the river, saw a man approach with a tripod over his shoulder.
“Here comes Mr. Washington,” he said. “I suppose he is still surveying around here.”
Soon the young surveyor was within hailing distance and Mr. Morris called out a cheery good-day. Washington returned the salutation, and coming closer recognized Crosby as a man he had met in Annapolis half a dozen times.
“Thank you, but I have had my dinner,” he said, in answer to their invitation to share in the repast. However, he sat down on a nearby rock to talk.
“And how goes the surveying?” asked Joseph Morris.
“Very well, up to yesterday,” was the reply.
“Why, the storm did not come up until night,” put in Aaron Crosby.