“Now,” said he, “that was wisdom. And I am glad that any words of mine saved you from such a loss. Always be as careful—you will find that it adds to your peace of mind.”
But Nat Brewster was puzzled, and the look which he directed at the dwarf showed that that personage was in the same state of mind. However, he was in no condition to grapple with perplexities, so he put the thing from him for the time. His head was bandaged and before long they got back to bed once more.
Next morning the wounded boy had a severe headache; but toward noon it wore away and he thought himself fit to travel.
“But,” said he, decidedly, to Revere, when announcing his intentions, “we’re going to be a party of five from now on.”
“I expected that,” said the other. “Ben’s been telling me about that little imp that he calls the Porcupine, and how he rendered you services of some sort upon other occasions beside that of last night.” Then after a pause: “So you think of taking him along?”
“Yes,” replied Nat. “If I can get him a horse it would be much better; but if not, I’ll carry him on mine, as he’s no great weight.”
“I’ll see what can be done,” said Revere. “Horse flesh ought to be plenty in these parts; and that means that it should be cheap.”
The result was that Nat paid out about all the money he had for an angular, swift little bay horse, along with which came a worn saddle and bridle. The Porcupine received these evidences of favor with great delight.
“Maybe,” said he to Nat, “I’ll be a lot of trouble on the road, but I’ll try not to be. And then,” with his usual grin, “I may be useful again in some way; for as you know I’m a pretty handy sort to have around on the outside.”
They reached Trenton after dark that night and by the next were well into the north Jerseys. They slept one night in New York, then crossed the little colonies of Rhode Island and Connecticut into Massachusetts; and at the end of eight days, were arrived safe at Boston.