CHAPTER XII.
NEW PROSPECTS FOR MOSE.
One delightful afternoon in the time usually known as “Indian summer,” Hesper thought she would take simple Johnny out for a walk. They went up over the hills, and away down past Capt. Clark’s corn-field, to the great barn beyond, where Fred and Charlie were still at work. When they saw Johnny with her, they begged her to let him stay until they came home at night, so she left him and went away into the woods beyond the Rolling Mill. She walked along the borders of the stream, gathering here and there the bright colored autumn leaves, which seemed to be more brilliant and beautiful than ever. As she climbed up to the top of an old rock, which jutted out into the pathway, to gather a few leaves of a bright scarlet color, she heard the sound of voices, and looking down upon the other side, saw Capt. Clark and Mose talking together. They observed her at the same moment, and called her to come down. Capt. Clark rose up quickly, and put up his strong arm to help her.
“Come, Hesper,” said he, “you are certainly a good little fairy, for you are always near when most wanted. I am laying a plan to get your brother away from you, and I know when you come to hear it, you will have too much good sense to say no.”
She sat down by Mose and looked him in the face. He seemed both glad and sorry. His old geography was open in his hand.
“Hesper,” said he, “you told me the Lord would help me, and now your words are about to prove true.”
“Why!” she exclaimed, “are you really going to sea?”
He smiled and looked towards Capt. Clark.