“I think our people must have much of right on their side, or such men as Colonel Washington, who is an aristocrat with much to lose and very conservative, ’tis said, would not favour what is being done in opposition to the British ministry,” said Mrs. Allison. Rodney, while seeing the matter largely through his mother’s eyes, nevertheless recalled the words he had heard fall from the lips of the rough frontiersmen. He knew that they were ready to fight, indeed many of them eager for a conflict, confident that they, who could clear the land, build homes in the wilderness and defend them against the Indians, could likewise defy the tyranny of King George. The boy became restless. He wanted to participate in the agitation which was noticeable on all sides, indeed the air seemed charged with it.
There was little work to be done on the farm during the winter. Hearing that Mr. Jefferson was then at his home, Rodney decided to visit Monticello. There he met with a warm greeting, though a shade of disappointment was in his face when he learned that the great man had been so busy he had not followed the fortunes of the Allison family, and did not even know that Mr. Allison had fallen at the battle of Point Pleasant. For the first time Rodney now doubted whether after all the man who had paid off the mortgage, and thwarted Denham, was really an agent of Mr. Jefferson. Finally, an opportunity came for assuring himself. His host was admiring Nat when Rodney said: “The colt is in fine condition, handsomer than ever. 155 I nearly lost him. Denham wanted him and, when he started to foreclose, he took possession of Nat.”
“Denham foreclosed? Have you then lost the home? I wish I had known of it, I might have prevented that.”
“Some kind friend learned of it and paid the mortgage; neither mother nor I know who it was. I thought he might have been your agent.”
“I am glad you think I would have assisted had I known, but this is the first I have heard of the matter. You see I have been very busy and away from home much, and not in a way to hear. I’m very glad you were rescued from the clutches of Denham.”
“He seemed determined to have both the place and the horse. Both Thello and Mam offered to sell themselves, even suggested that to Denham, but he told them he didn’t want any old, worn out niggers on his hands. I’m glad I wasn’t there,” and the lad’s eyes blazed with indignation as he thought of the old miser’s greed.
“Denham is said to be as ardent a Tory as he dares to be,” remarked Mr. Jefferson, as though to himself. Then, turning to the boy, he looked into his face, and Rodney felt as though his inmost thoughts were being read.
That he stood the test well appeared in the next words of Jefferson.
“I believe your experience with the Indians has greatly matured you. How old are you?”
“I am well on to sixteen, sir.”