“I’m with ye, Rob,” replied both.
“Good,” said Little Hickory, though there was no sign of triumph in his manner as he stepped back. “I’m glad you are going to stay.”
“So am I,” said Joe, taking Larry’s hand. “You made a good fight, Larry, and I like you better for it, now that you are all right. It is only right Little Hickory should be at our head. We’ll agree to mind him in all he says.”
Larry made no reply, though the others knew well enough the victory had been fully won by Little Hickory. Chick would have given three cheers and a tiger or two, but the conqueror stopped him.
CHAPTER XX.
A SHOWER OF BULLETS.
Little Hickory had no further trouble among his companions at Break o’ Day. If reluctant at first, Larry went to work beside him in spading up the ground, and that very afternoon they planted their first seed. To these foundlings of the great city this was an event, little to be appreciated by those brought up in the country. All but Mrs. Willet and Mr. Joe Little joined the planters, Joe having the honor of dropping the first seed into the “hills.”
That evening Dr. Menter paid them a short visit, and when he found how the garden had been begun, he promised to arrange so that a man with a pair of horses and a plow should come up the first of the following week to help out the boys in their spading. He had also found a situation for Larry, which the latter accepted after a little hesitation.
The visit of the genial doctor lent additional inspiration to the hearts of the members of the young republic, and when he had gone, the three families met together, at Larry’s suggestion, and there in the presence of them all he took the hand of Rob, saying:
“Little Hickory, you deserve your name, and I was a fool for trying to lick ye. Now if ye’ll let thet be fergot I’ll stand by ye after this.”
“I do,” replied Rob, fervently. “You have got the right stuff in you, Larry, and I know we shall get along first-rate.”