"Yes," observed the good wife, as she looked up into the bronzed face of the pioneer; "and if the company is large, the better I shall be pleased, David, because it will mean that you are safe. Bring them along, all who yearn to come hither. We will stand by them—the men to help build cabins before the winter sets in; the women to assist in fitting their homes up, so as to give the newcomers a start. There is room in plenty here in this glorious country, where people can really breathe without paying taxes to a king three thousand miles away."
That evening the neighbors flocked to the Armstrong cabin to spend a few hours with those for whom they had come to feel so much respect and affection. If some of them secretly envied the Armstrongs their great good fortune, they managed to conceal the fact, for every one seemed bubbling over with happiness.
On the morrow the start was to be made. All preparations had been completed looking forward to the event. It happened, fortunately, that several parties were expecting to leave for the fields of Virginia about this time; and, since greater safety would follow if they went together, they had managed to set upon this day, close upon the verge of fall, for a start.
Often during the evening Bob caught his father's eyes fastened upon himself and Sandy. He knew well what thoughts must be passing through the mind of the pioneer. And again and again did Bob promise himself that he would strive to do everything in his power to fill that father's place while the head of the family was absent.
There was really little sleep under that humble roof that night. First, the excitement attaching to the visit of so many neighbors broke into the routine of their daily life. Then, after these good friends had departed, it was found that a number of things had been neglected that were absolutely necessary for the comfort of the traveller.
The party anticipated making an early start in the morning, so none of these could be postponed. Besides, it was only natural that every member of the family should be worked up to a high degree of nervous anxiety, and lie awake long after they had sought their cots, thinking of a thousand and one matters.
Early indeed were they astir. Breakfast was prepared as usual; but, on this morning, no one had much heart for merriment. Mrs. Armstrong indeed kept a smile on her face, but it was forced simply to encourage her husband; since she knew only too well how he must feel at the idea of thus separating himself from all he held dear on earth.
Bob, Sandy and Kate tried their best to appear natural, but it was indeed hard work. Often Kate would make some excuse for darting out of the room, and, when she came back a little later, there was always a suspicious redness about her eyes that told plainly how she had indulged in a cry to ease the numb pain in her girlish heart. And even fun-loving Sandy dared not take her to task, for he was on the verge of a breakdown himself.
Mr. Armstrong, seeing how his wife exerted herself to sustain him, and ashamed to let her bear the whole burden, made a great effort, and mastered his feelings. He took Bob aside as they left the table, and with a hand on the shoulder of his oldest boy said:
"Be very careful, son, while I am away. Your mother will have no one but you to stand by her, for Sandy, though a well-meaning lad, is hardly to be depended on in times of stress. Be vigilant and watchful. Remember that we have to deal with a cunning and merciless foe, and, should there be an attack on the settlement, see to it that your mother is quickly taken inside the stockade. I depend much on you, Robert; and, if it were not so, nothing could induce me to leave home with these ugly rumors of trouble floating to our ears. You promise me to do everything a man could for your sister's and your mother's well-being?"