The boat was brought in without a great amount of trouble, for they had been keeping only a short distance away from the bank while allowing themselves to be carried along at the will of the strong current. Pat was, as always, the first to spring ashore. While the rest were busy securing the boat, the trapper was circling around up the bank, looking for recent signs of enemies near the spot. He had claimed it was a well-known stopping-place for all those passing up or down-stream. Boats loaded with French trappers might possibly come along at some time or other; but already time was bringing about a change in the relations of the colonists and the sons of France; and if, as seemed very likely, a break did occur between King George and his American colonies, the French would be found taking the part of the latter. Indeed, Mr. Armstrong had taken this into consideration when arranging to carry his family into the heart of the country controlled and claimed by the French. He expected to have some little trouble with them at first; but, after a little time, they would hear great news from the sea-coast that would lift the scales from their eyes, these rough and daring trappers, so that they would hold out their hands to make peace with the newcomers, as common allies against England. "How does this suit you, Sandy?" asked Bob, when they, too, had clambered over the side of the boat, and stood on the bank. "It is a fine place for a camp, and for a cabin, too," replied the other, looking about him with kindling eyes. "Plenty of big trees to cut down, or leave standing, just as we think best; and it looks as if there ought to be a heap of rich furs to be taken along that ridge back yonder, and the valley that must lie further on. Yes, I like this place. It is even better than what I could see, whenever I shut my eyes, and tried to picture our new homestead by the Mississippi." They looked out upon the great river, where rested the bones of the discoverer, De Soto, and the copper plates he had sunk beneath its waters when he claimed the whole region for his royal master; and tears came into the eyes of Sandy, whose emotions were easily stirred. "Higher up there, and a little way back, we would build our cabins, I think," Bob went on to remark, in his usual thoughtful way. "One bout with a flood will be more than enough for father. Think of what it meant to us, the destruction of our garden; the uprooting of the supports of our cabin; and then the loss of mother's little strong-box in which she kept her few precious remembrances of the past, as well as that wampum belt given to us by Pontiac, when we saved his life. Yes, it answers all the needs of our little company; and, once it is decided that we stay here, watch how soon the axes begin to ring, and the trees to fall. Inside of three days, we could have a roof over our heads again."