"But father often said that if this long postponed case was decided in his favor he would only have to go to Richmond to be put in possession of his own!" remarked Bob. "So I wouldn't worry about it, Kate, dear. But let us go on to the cabin, for I can see mother looking this way, and beckoning."
They found a happy group when they reached the log building. The neighbors had come to rejoice with the Armstrongs over the glorious news; for only too well did every housewife know the privations that had followed the loss of Mr. Armstrong's little fortune; and how delightful it was to realize that things were now about to take a decided turn for the better.
Others came flocking to the scene, and that night was one never to be forgotten. Such good news as this seldom came to any of the pioneers. As a rule those hardy men had to build their own fortunes by daily contact with the rough edges of life, clearing first one acre of land, and planting it to crops; and then slowly adding to their holdings, year by year.
Mr. Armstrong knew that it was absolutely necessary that he proceed east at the very earliest day in order to get back before winter had settled in earnest over the mountains, since they would be utterly impassable once this occurred.
He consulted with some of his best friends; for since they had been neighbors many months now they had come to know each other fully.
His wife was both happy and oppressed. She knew that her little family would be rendered better able to withstand the hardships of pioneer life after David had been to the east, and returned, bringing the many things so needed to make them comfortable; but the thought of the separation gave her much pain, since the pair were very devoted to each other.
But it was considerable pleasure to be able to make out a long list of things which the good man was to secure, after he had come into his own. Several pack animals would be needed on which to transport all he expected to bring to the Ohio. The neighbors, almost to a family, thought of various little things they needed; and Mr. Armstrong was commissioned to purchase these.
"Why," he laughed, as another day had passed, with his list growing to a formidable length, as still more of the settlers' wives came, with money and a request that he buy them this article or that; "if this keeps on I'll surely have a regular caravan under my charge, as numerous as the one with which we first crossed the mountains, and found this beautiful spot on the Ohio."
"But, father," said far-seeing Bob, "that will be all the better, for it has been some time since there was a pack train out of Virginia headed this way, and I am sure quite a lot of people will want to join you. They have been hearing stories about this golden west a long time now; and we know what that means."