"Why should I give them a dollar for carrying me to Boston, when I can
just as well walk? If I get tired, I can sit down and rest me. If I
save the dollar, I shall have to earn only fifty-nine more to pay my
note. So here goes;" and he started down the track.

CHAPTER VII

IN WHICH BOBBY STANDS UP FOR "CERTAIN INALIENABLE RIGHTS"

Whether it was wise policy, or "penny wise and pound foolish" policy
for Bobby to undertake such a long walk, is certainly a debatable
question; but as my young readers would probably object to an
argument, we will follow him to the city, and let every one settle the
point to suit himself.

His cheerful heart made the road smooth beneath his feet. He had
always been accustomed to an active, busy life, and had probably often
walked more than twenty miles in a day. About ten o'clock, though he
did not feel much fatigued, he seated himself on a rock by a brook
from which he had just taken a drink, to rest himself. He had walked
slowly so as to husband his strength; and he felt confident that he
should be able to accomplish the journey without injury to himself.

After resting for half an hour, he resumed his walk. At twelve o'clock
he reached a point from which he obtained his first view of the
city. His heart bounded at the sight, and his first impulse was to
increase his speed so that he should the sooner gratify his curiosity;
but a second thought reminded him that he had eaten nothing since
breakfast; so, finding a shady tree by the road side, he seated
himself on a stone to eat the luncheon which his considerate mother
had placed in his bundle.

Thus refreshed, he felt like a new man, and continued his journey
again till he was on the very outskirts of the city, where a sign, "No
passing over this bridge," interrupted his farther progress. Unlike
many others, Bobby took this sign literally, and did not venture to
cross the bridge. Having some doubts as to the direct road to the
city, he hailed a man in a butcher's cart, who not only pointed the
way, but gave him an invitation to ride with him, which Bobby was glad
to accept.

They crossed the Milldam, and the little pilgrim forgot the long walk
he had taken--forgot Riverdale, his mother, Squire Lee, and Annie, for
the time, in the absorbing interest of the exciting scene. The Common
beat Riverdale Common all hollow; he had never seen anything like it
before. But when the wagon reached Washington Street, the measure of
his