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Rh “Then will I fight with bow and arrows, sir!”

Major Willard threw his hands apart and laughed shortly. “Do as you will. An you can fight as you argue ’twere a pity to leave  you behind! But I take no blame, young sir, and so you must tell your father. And if he says you nay, count not on me for support. Now I will find if there be a horse for you. Mistress Farwell, give this lad food and speed him forth.”

“What meant he by my father saying me nay?” David asked himself as he drew a  stool to the table and the food laid thereon  by his hostess. “’Tis far from likely that he will know aught about it until I return  home, by which time his yea or nay will matter little, methinks! ”

He ate quickly of the food, fearful lest the company be off without him, unconscious of  the curious glances cast upon him by the children gathered without the open door. Nor, indeed, was he aware of their presence there  until, thrust from behind, they flowed into  the house. This small commotion drew his eyes from the window, and in the next instant he was on his feet, staring unbelievingly at the two men who came quickly  through the portal.