“There is nothing I so much desire as to own a piece of land. Working out by the month on a farm is a very slow way of getting money to buy it with, as in the winter a man can earn but little more than his board, and the winters are long here; in England the plough goes every month in the year. I should like very much to go.”
“Trapping is a poor business to follow, but a very good resort for a young man who wants to obtain something to give him a start. You can go out there, trap till April, and if you are commonly successful can earn more than you could in a whole farming season, and get back in time for farm work, when I will hire you for the rest of the season, and you and the boys can raise another crop on your burnt land.”
There was no time to be lost, as the journey was long, and James began instantly to make his preparations.
“Father,” said Bertie, “the colt is too young for such a journey with a heavy load, it will spoil him. Why don’t you let James take old Frank? He’ll be back by the time we want to plough, and Frank is good for anything.”
“I will, if you and Peter think you can part with Frank.” Mr. Whitman gave his father’s rifle to James, a most excellent piece. He took with him a few otter and beaver traps, pork, bread, and also a camp kettle, as he calculated to kill game, and camp where taverns were not convenient.
“Where are James and Bertie?” said Mr. Whitman, the night before James was to set out.
“They have gone over to Mr. Conly’s,” said Peter.
“James has been over there two evenings this week. I should think if he is going in the morning he would want to be at home this evening.”
“He thinks a great deal of Edward Conly, and I believe Walter is expected home to-night.”
“I guess,” said Maria, “that it’s not Edward nor Walter, but Emily whom he thinks the most of, for he went home from meeting with her last Sunday night, and he never went home with anybody before. I don’t believe but what Bert knows.”