Rodney, the Ranger, with Daniel Morgan on Trail and Battlefield

  CHAPTER III

  HOW RODNEY AND ANGUS BECAME FRIENDS

  "Say, Sim, what's the story you's goin' to tell, the one yer cousintold ye?"

  "Yes, tell us about it, Sim."

  The pupils of the cabin school were having recess. A few weeks beforeDavid Allison had moved his family up to Charlottesville from the"tide-water country," and had opened this school.

  "Well, ye see--" began Sim.

  "Yes, we see all right, but thar ain't much fun lookin' at you gittin'ready to tell a story. You sure are slower'n our ol' nigger,Absalom."

  "Give Sim a chance!"

  Angus MacGregor spoke as one with authority and his stockily builtbody looked capable of enforcing the order. Sim proceeded.

  "As I was sayin', Bill, that's my cousin, he lives over in theShenandoah valley two looks and a yell from the Jumpin'-off Place, wasout fishin' with another feller. When they was goin' home an' come outinter the clearin' roun' Fin Anderson's cabin, they see an ol' Injun,Bowlegs they call him, snoopin' roun'. They hid an' watchedperceedin's. When ol' Bowlegs found no one was ter home what's he dobut walk right in and bring out a jug o' corn liquor an' set rightthar an' fill his gullet. Then the ol' varmint laid down fer asnooze."

  "Oughter tarred an' feathered the ol' cuss," said Angus.

  "That's jes' what Bill thought, but they didn't have no tar, let alonefeathers. But Fin Anderson's a curis feller, an' Bill remembered thatwhen he went out inter that country he toted along a feather bed;'lowed he wanted somethin' different to sleep on ter home than he hadin ther woods. When Bill thought o' that feather bed he jes' sithedfer tar, when he'd make a turkey gobbler outer Bowlegs. Well, whilethey's rummagin' roun' ther cabin they found some wild honey Fin hadbrought in, so they took that an' daubed ther ol' feller from head terheel and then rolled him in the feathers."

  "Kinder rough on Fin's feather bed."

  "Oh, he'd sure enough lay it to the Injun. After they got back homean' told the story some o' the fellers 'lowed as how they'd go overan' give Bowlegs a lickin' ter boot. Well, when they got in sight o'the ol' rascal, he was jes' soberin' up, sittin' thar rubbin' hiseyes. 'Bout that time he seen ther feathers stickin' out all over himan' he let out a whoop an' went tearin' off through the brush,sheddin' feathers at every jump like an ol' settin' hen scared off'nher nest."

  "They oughter licked the ol' redskin; they're all thieves," said Anguswith an important air.

  "He stole the liquor but it looks like some one else stole the honeyand feathers."

  All eyes turned toward the speaker who had joined the groupunobserved. He was Rodney Allison.

  The face of Angus turned red as a beet. Here was this upstart new boywith an air of questioning his authority. By means of Angus' abilityto give any boy in the neighbourhood a sound drubbing if necessary hehad become the recognized leader. Evidently this new boy needed to beshown his proper place.

  "Huh! Bill an' his friends ain't thieves, I can tell. An Injun is aborn thief, so are most niggers, an' I've been told that, when Englandused to send her thieves to Virginny, some of 'em turned schoolmastersafter they landed."

  Sammy Dawson snickered and it was Rodney's turn to get red in theface.

  "I know one schoolmaster," he said, "who is an honest man and alwayswas, though thieving must be more fun than trying to teach some o' thelunkheads who go to his school."

  Sammy didn't snicker this time, but his eyes grew big and round.

  Angus began to swell with anger. He stepped forward and shook his fistunder Rodney's nose. Then he found his speech. "I've known o' folks,"he said, "who weren't wanted down in the tide-water country, comin' upthis way an' bein' sent back with their hides tanned;" saying this,he tried to slap Rodney's face.

  In all the house of MacGregor probably there never had been a moresurprised member than was Angus five minutes later, for David Allisonhad taught his son other things than were found in books; but he alsohad taught that this knowledge was not to be used except rarely, andwhen absolutely necessary. Rodney uneasily recalled this part of theinstruction after the fight was over, and he had time to reflect onhis part in bringing it on. Evidently he wasn't doing anything to makethe family popular with their new neighbours, whereas, if he'd kepthis mouth shut instead of interrupting the conversation, all wouldhave been well.

  "Angus, let's shake hands. I didn't mean any offence and said morethan I ought."

  Angus took the proffered hand rather reluctantly, and on his face wasa look of suspicion, visible along with a black eye and a bleedingnose. Then he said: "You don't come to school; got larnin' enough, Ireckon."

  "I have to work days, but study what I can nights," was the reply.

  "I saw ye workin' with the nigger this mornin'. I 'lowed as how downin the tide-water country an' in most other places folks as 'sociatewith niggers ain't much thought on. A slave has ter be kept in hisplace."

  "The work has to be done and there are only Thello and I to do it. Heis not a slave, nor is his wife. Mother granted 'em freedom aftergrandfather gave them to her. Father doesn't believe in slavery. Butthey would die before they'd leave us."

  "I reckon they're niggers jes' the same."

  "Yes, and I would trust 'em farther than I would most white folks."

  "I got no use fer mixin' with niggers."

  "Look here, Angus, I thought you and I shook hands."

  "Well, I didn't like ter refuse to meet ye half way," replied the boy,sullenly, adding "My father says he allus 'spicions roosters as don'tcrow."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I 'low as how 'twould be like most fellers, as had licked another, tobrag about it."

  So Angus suspected the proffered friendship! "Well, you see, when Icame to think it over, I saw that I was partly to blame," said Rodney."I broke into the talk and invited trouble. I don't like to hear anyone blamed because their skins happen to be black or red, but itwasn't exactly my business, as the talk wasn't addressed to me."

  "I reckon you're all right," said Angus, holding out his hand, thistime with a heartiness which was unmistakable. Then he said, "I'm gladyou've come up inter this neck o' woods, but I'm sorry ye bought thatplace o' Denham, unless ye paid cash down an' mighty little at that.The land's worn out and the ol' skin-flint has stuck two or threeothers in the same way. Had a mortgage on it, an' then foreclosed."

  "I don't know what arrangements father made," replied Rodney, uneasyin mind because of what MacGregor had told him. He knew his father wasnot considered a good business man, but always believed the other manas honest as himself. "Anyhow I'm much obliged to you, Angus, for thewarning. Come over and see me, will you?"

  "Thank ye, I'll do that," was the reply, and the boys parted friends.

  While working in the field that afternoon, Rodney was so absorbed inassisting and giving Thello directions about the work they were doing,that he did not notice the approach of a tall man on horseback until apleasant voice greeted him: "Is this David Allison's son?"

  "Yes, sir," Rodney replied, recognizing Mr. Jefferson of Monticello.

  "I overheard some of your directions about the work, and concluded youhave a good understanding of it."

  The boy flushed with pleasure. "Thank you, sir. Thello thinks I've alot to learn."

  "'Deed no, Marse Rodney. Yo' certain sho--"

  "Modesty is a good quality, my boy. I had a long talk with your fatherthe other day. He is anxious for you to have all possible advantages.Now I have books in my library which I'm sure would afford you bothinterest and profit. If you will come to Monticello soon we'll selectsome," saying which he rode away.

  "'Scuse me, Marse Rodney, but dey'll sho' think yo's not one ob dequality ef yo' talks dat ar way 'bout what ol' Thello thinks."

  Rodney made no reply. He stood looking after the man on horseback whohad spoken so kindly and who had such pleasant eyes, clear hazel incolour, and which so invited one's confidence.

  David Allison was an enthusiastic admirer of Thomas Jefferson, and,on coming to Charlottesville, had
at his first opportunity calledon him with a letter of introduction. At times he would speak soenthusiastically that Rodney would notice a smile on his mother'sface as she said: "You should remember, David, that you often havetoo much confidence in men. There are those who say that he isstriving to be popular and to win success, and, to please the rabble,would destroy laws and customs under which the Old Dominion hasflourished."

  "Aye, lass, that's true o' the part but not of all. Look ye at thelack o' schools. Teaching is honourable work in the old country and inNew England. What is it here, an' what chance have the childer toither teaching than I'm able to gie them? Thomas Jefferson is aninspiring leader under God's direction I do believe. He's surely afine man to meet an' seems disposed to help our Rodney."