"You are not pleased, mother, and I had thought it would make you glad because Simon Kenton had so much of faith in me. I will tell him I cannot go, and you may forget I have spoken of it."
The tears were very near her eyelids as she drew me closer and said softly, hardly daring to trust her voice:
"I would not keep you, my son, even though the parting give me great pain. On the frontier boys must speedily learn to be men, and it may be best for you to go. Perhaps we will join these settlers who intend to build up a town nearby, when you come back covered with glory."
"Now you are making sport of me, mother," I replied reproachfully. "There is no glory to be gained in fighting savages."
"To my mind you gained very much, Louis, when you ventured your life to save Mr. Sampson and Paul."
I was at a loss to understand exactly what she meant, nor did I try very hard, for the look of pain was gone from her face, and I wanted to repeat the good news to Paul.
I found him on the shore of the island, gazing across the water as if he saw in the muddy stream some wonderful vision, and instead of being surprised or elated when I told what proud position we were to occupy in the expedition, he said with a sigh:
"It is enough if I am to be with you, Louis."
"And your father? Will he give his consent?"
"He is laying plans for the new settlement which is to be made, and when I told him it would give me pleasure to go with you and Simon Kenton, he said he had other things of which to think."