“But you’re not raised thar,” continued Andrews. “No, in Paris.” “But you’re not French.” “Yes, I speak the language.” “Do you know Mr. Franklin?” “Certainly, I came here for him.” “You did?” queried Andrews. “Look at that, Nancy,” continued Andrews, addressing his wife who sat knitting at the table listening to the men’s conversation. “This gentleman knows Benjamin Franklin. How’s the French takin’ up the cause?” “Oh, they’re helping the Colonies,” replied Barclugh, but continuing, in order to get at his own line of thought, he asked: “Do you need much money to buy these lands and start a home in the wilderness, Mr. Andrews?” “Wal,” replied Andrews, “as far as money is consarned, nary a shilling have I made in two year, but I hed some to start on,--mighty lettle though, for I paid most on’t for the first payment on my land, and then I’ll have to wait till I git crops off this summer for the next payment. But you see, we raise our livin’ and the old folks at home make us some cloth for clothes while we’re startin’, so that by next year we can help ourselves right along.” “So you have no use for money at home, but you get your pay for supplies furnished Mr. Washington, don’t you?” queried Barclugh. “Wal, that’s all well understood among our people. When we have some pork or flour for the army, or beef or grain, we take it to our nearest depot and get a receipt for the stuff at the price paid, and when it’s signed by General Washington’s commissary that’s all the money we want for our transactions. Our receipts will be redeemed if Congress gains independence, and if we fail we shall not need the receipts, for we shall all be dead.” This last bit of information killed all the enthusiasm in Barclugh’s breast, and, as he had observed Andrews’ children and wife ascend the ladder in the corner, leading to the loft, he yawned and began to wonder where he would sleep for the night. Andrews noticed his evident desires and remarked: “Mister, I b’leeve you better turn in for the night, and you will find your bed prepared in the corner where Nancy and I sleep, but we allus give it up to company,” were the parting remarks of Barclugh’s host, who turned and climbed the ladder into the loft. Dawn was barely visible when the Andrews household was astir. Barclugh was up first, for he occupied the sole living-room. Then a good breakfast was soon steaming on the table,--consisting of fried pork, fried eggs, potatoes and bread and butter, and bowls of milk. After doing full justice to the frugal meal, Barclugh started to prepare for departure. He found his horse, well groomed, standing hitched in the dooryard. Going up to Mrs. Andrews, Barclugh thanked her for such a fine bed and such wholesome meals. He then took the little boy in his arms and kissed him while he congratulated the mother upon her well-behaved children.