One day his mother told him that he was old enough to go to school at Tower Hill, a place four miles away. Boys and girls would now think that a long way to go to school; but Oliver and his cousins did not mind the walk through the woods and over the hills. The master of this school was so old that he had once taught Oliver's grandfather. He was not lazy, however, and was never known to lose his temper. It was not long until a change was made and Oliver was taken away from "old master Kelly." For several years past, Oliver's father had been again on the sea. He had commanded vessels on successful voyages to Europe and South America, and now he had a large income. He was therefore able to pay for better teaching for Oliver and the younger children. So the family moved from South Kingston to Newport, a larger town, with better schools. At first Oliver did not like the change. The discipline was much more strict than it had been in the little country schools. His teacher, Mr. Frazer, had one serious fault. He had a violent temper which was not always controlled. One day he became angry at Oliver and broke a ruler over his head. Without a word, Oliver took his hat and went home. He told his mother that he would never go back. The wise mother said nothing until the next morning. Then, giving him a note for Mr. Frazer, she told him to go to school as usual. The proud boy's lip quivered and tears were in his eyes, but he never thought of disobeying his mother. The note he carried was a kind one, telling Mr. Frazer that she intrusted Oliver to his care again and hoped that she would not have cause to regret it. After this Oliver had no better friend than Mr. Frazer. On holidays they walked together to the seashore and spent many hours wandering along the beach. The schoolmaster took great delight in teaching Oliver the rules of navigation, and the use of the instruments necessary for sailing a vessel. Oliver learned these things so readily that it was not long until Mr. Frazer said he was the best navigator in Rhode Island. This, of course, was not strictly true, but it showed what an apt scholar the boy was. Oliver made many friends in Newport. Among them was the Frenchman, Count Rochambeau. The father of this man was a great general, and had once commanded some French troops who helped the Americans in the Revolutionary War. Count Rochambeau often invited Oliver to dine with him, and one day he gave him a beautiful little watch. When Oliver was twelve years old, his father gave up his life on the sea. The family then moved to Westerly, a little village in the southwestern part of Rhode Island. For five years Oliver had been a faithful pupil of Mr. Frazer's, and he was now far advanced for his years. III.--PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. About this time some unexpected troubles arose in our country.