”—And I think we should like to go over to the old place and see what it looks like.”
“And take a tool or two, sir; and go early and tidy up the garden a bit.”
“Well,” said my father, thoughtfully, “I don’t see why you should not. I was thinking of something of the kind, now that the Indians seem to be gone for good.”
“Then when may we go, father?”
“I’ll speak to the General, and if he sees no objection you shall go to-morrow morning, first thing, if you feel well enough.”
“Oh, father!” I exclaimed, with a thrill of delight running through me, for it was as if I was to be freed from prison.
“You will not be able to do much, Morgan,” said my father, thoughtfully; “but you might take a billhook and cut back a little of the overgrowth, for we must not be beaten. George, my boy, we must go back and make the place more beautiful than it was before; for it is a beautiful land, if man would not blot it with his cruelties and evil deeds.”
I saw that his eyes were fixed upon the corner of the enclosure, where the blacks were gathered.
“Then we may go, father?” I said.
“If the General approves. No one can stir outside the gates without his orders now.”