Rodney, the Ranger, with Daniel Morgan on Trail and BattlefieldLane, John V. (John Veasey)
History
Rodney, the Ranger, with Daniel Morgan on Trail and Battlefield
Lane, John V. (John Veasey)
Morgan, Daniel, 1736-1802 -- Juvenile fiction; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Juvenile fiction
"He was a very kind-hearted man, and such cannot always keep what you
term 'good company.' May I ask you to send here some worthy lawyer or
trustworthy justice of the peace? I have some transactions which I
wish to discuss with such a person. You, being the son of your father,
I know will do that for me."
"Where and when did you know my father?"
"More than twenty years ago in London. When did he die, Rodney?"
"He was killed at the battle of Point Pleasant at the time we were out
in the Ohio country."
"Four years ago. Do you come often to the camp?"
"Frequently."
"Will it be asking too much for you to look in on me, as they say?"
"I will do as you wish."
As Rodney rode away he thought much upon the strange man he had left.
Evidently he was one whom his father had befriended. And the rascal
had tried to rob his benefactor's son. Probably, what with the illness
and all, the fellow's conscience twinged a little. Anyhow, he should
have the lawyer though it were better he should have the clergyman,
thought the lad.
That night Rodney found it difficult to put thoughts of the sick man
out of his mind and, when a few days later he again had occasion to
visit the camp, he took along with him some delicacies which he
thought might tempt the patient's appetite.
"So you didn't forget me. What's this? Something besides camp fare?
Oh, yes, you are David Cameron's son, but you've got a life work ahead
if you live up to his standard."
"I believe you, sir."
"Would you be willing to send this letter? I suppose it will reach
Philadelphia in a few days. By the way, did your father come to
Charlottesville from London?"
"No. He lived nearly eighteen years down in Prince William County. He
was employed there much of the time by Squire Danesford."
"Danesford! Did he have a daughter about your own age?"
"Yes. Lisbeth. She was in Philadelphia the last I knew of her. I heard
the other day that the state had seized their estate. Danesford is a
bitter Tory, you know."
"Danesford died a poor man in London last April. His daughter, I
understand, died about three months later. At least the person to whom
that letter is addressed wrote me she couldn't live."
"Are--are you sure? I didn't even know she was sick."
The man looked keenly at his caller. "I have no reason to doubt the
report. It was said she took her father's death very much to heart,
and, what with not being well,--she had nursed a friend, I think,--she
was taken down with a fever. You must have known her?
"Why, she was my playmate. I--I can't realize she's dead." Then
hurriedly saying good-bye he went away, seeing little and thinking
much, and the "Chevalier" lay looking at the blank wall.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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