"You will need a good trailer to assist you," remarked the soldier, "and among all our men I do not know of any who is the equal of Mayhew if only you would not have any ill feeling toward him on account of what his carelessness has already cost you." "Why, it was hardly his fault, that I can see, sir," declared Dick, "and I have always liked Benjamin Mayhew very much. If he cares to go with us, tell him we will be only too glad of his company." "Yes," added Captain Lewis, who knew his men as few commanders might, "and this I am sure of--Mayhew will strive with might and main to retrieve himself. You will find that he has really taken his bad luck to heart. He will want to prove to us that he is capable. He will do wonders for you, lads, and I believe you show the part of wisdom in wishing him to accompany you." "Then consider that settled," said the soldier. "I will have Mayhew in here presently, and talk with him. You can make your preparations for an early start in the morning." "And both of us trust success will crown your gallant efforts to serve your loved ones at home," said Captain Lewis. "I well remember your fine old grandfather, David Armstrong. His name is familiar to all who know the history of the early settlements along the Ohio, where such valiant pioneers as Daniel Boone, Simon Kenton and Colonel Harrod led the way into the wilderness, and lighted the torch of civilization." It was very pleasant for the boys to know they had such strong friends in the leaders of the expedition making a track across the newly acquired possession of the young republic. When they left the shack they somehow seemed to feel anything but downhearted. Indeed, with the buoyancy of youth they now faced the future hopefully, almost certain that they would quickly find Jasper Williams again, and bring him back to the camp, where he would make out and sign a new document, to be witnessed by both the captains, whose names were sure to carry weight in any court of law. "It might be a great deal worse," admitted Roger, as he accompanied his cousin to their quarters in order to make what simple preparations they thought necessary for the early morning start. "Many times so," Dick assured him. "Why, after all, this may turn out to be one of those blessings in disguise our mothers have so often told us about." "You will have to explain that to me, Dick," admitted the other boy, "for I own up that it is too much for my poor brain to understand." "Listen, then," continued the other. "What if that scheming François Lascelles had delayed his attack on the messengers for days and even weeks, until they were almost at St. Louis, and then secured our paper? We would never have known about its loss, and could not send another!" "That is so," assented Roger, nodding his head as he managed to grasp the point his companion was making.