Deacon Cornhill had not forgotten to take along a small supply of food, a few potatoes, some flour and pork and other articles of scarcely less account, though less bulky. But there was no furniture, and when the last thing had been removed from the wagon and Deacon Cornhill surveyed the scanty store and the wet, gloomy surroundings, he could not help feeling a bitter disappointment at the way his bright plans had turned out.
“Well, keep up good courage, boys, and we will see to-morrow if something can’t be done for you. This is all my land round about here, and such as it is make as free with it as if you owned it. I know it ain’t rich soil, but in the valleys you will find a chance to dip up patches to plant. The coal burners plowed up some of the best places, so it won’t be quite like new sod. There is plenty of wood, and I advise you to build a fire the first thing you do.
“I s’pose I shall have to go home, as mother will be anxious about me. But I will come up in the morning, when we will lay our plans for the futur’. I hope the sheriff won’t find you. If he does, you must do the best you can, Rob. I can’t see how he can arrest you so long as you are peaceful. I will come up as early as I can to-morrow. Let me advise the rest of you to mind Rob in what he says. He’s got a good head on him, and he will help you out if anybody can.”
With these words, the honest-hearted man climbed back to the wagon-seat, gathered up the reins and headed the horses homeward, though, as he rode away, his gaze was turned backward until the bushes hid him from view.
“There is one honest man in this wilderness,” said Mrs. Willet, “but it seems as if every one else was against us. I suppose we must hope for the best.”
“To be sure, mother,” replied Rob, who always addressed her thus, “and with the clearing away of the rain we will hope for better fare. Come, boys, help me get some wood so we can have a fire.”
The other boys lending their assistance, while Rob’s mother and the girls cleaned up the interior of the camps, a fire was soon blazing merrily in each of the rude dwellings, giving a surprising cheerfulness to the scene. Preparations for supper were begun at once, and altogether the newcomers were as comfortable and hopeful as could be expected.
The rain was still falling steadily, though not as rapidly as at first, while it was growing dark.
Without stopping to eat supper with the others, Rob left the camp to see if he could learn anything of the two men at the old house, promising not to be gone long.
Upon coming out into the road within sight of the place no sign of life was apparent, until he came near enough to see the horses still standing where their owners had left them.