“He saved that young man; but we are not a going to have to fight the battle, a handful of us, with liquor much longer.”
“Why not?”
“Because people that have got larning, and that are looked up to, are beginning to take it up. James Welch sent a newspaper to Uncle Isaac that has printed what Dr. Franklin said about it long ago; and there’s a long piece that the College of Doctors in Philadelphia sent to Congress, about it, saying something ought to be done; that rum was ruining the country, and upsetting all we had done in getting our liberty: the paper’s at the house; you can read it. Now, when the papers take anything up, it’s a sartain sign that there are a good many people thinking about those matters, and want to hear about them; they never bark till the deer’s afoot; it will spread just like ile when you drop it on the water to spear a flounder.”
Thus beguiling the rough journey through the forest, they arrived home just before sundown.
“Now, boys, while Sally’s putting supper on the table, we’ll just set the trap again.”
After resting a while, and eating a substantial meal, having eaten nothing since six o’clock that morning, they took the boat, and being favored with a fair wind and tide, sailed leisurely up the bay under a bright starlight.
“We’ve got the night before us,” said Joe, “so needn’t hurry.”
“This is easier than walking,” said Charlie; “the tide will turn by the time we get there, and if we do have to beat or row back, we shall have a fair tide.”
They were favored in this respect; for by the time they had placed the bear in the boat, and were ready to start, it fell calm, and they rowed leisurely home with the tide.
It was much nearer morning than midnight, when, having dressed the animal and hung him up in the barn floor, they went to bed.