Page:Pretty Story.djvu/16



OW it came to paſs that this Nobleman had, by ſome means or other, obtained a right to an immenſe tract of wild uncultivated country at a vaſt diſtance from his manſion houſe. But he ſet little ſtore by this acquiſition, as it yielded him no profit, nor was it likely to do ſo, being not only difficult of acceſs on account of the diſtance, but was alſo overrun with innumerable wild beaſts very fierce and ſavage; ſo that it would be extremely dangerous to attempt taking poſſeſſion of it.

proceſs of time, however, ſome of his children, more ſtout and enterpriſing than the reſt, requeſted leave of their father to go and ſettle on this diſtant tract of land. Leave was readily obtained; but before they ſet out certain agreements were ſtipulated be tween them—the principal were—the old Gentleman, on his part, engaged to protect and defend the adventurers in their new ſettlements; to aſſiſt them in chacing away the wild beaſts, and to extend to them all the benefits of the government under which they were born: Aſſuring them that although they ſhould be removed ſo far from his preſence they ſhould nevertheleſs be