be
comfortable, if not flourishing, in your circumstances. Your children
would work for you, and you would have the satisfaction of knowing that
you left them independent and happy."

"I acknowledge, my dear boy, that you have struck upon a plan which has
much to recommend it. Still there are drawbacks."

"Drawbacks!" replied Alfred, "yes, to be sure, there are; if estates
were to be picked up for merely going out for them, there would not be
many left for you to choose; but, my dear father, I know no drawbacks
which can not be surmounted. Let us see what these drawbacks are. First,
hard labor; occasional privation; a log hut, till we can get a better;
severe winter; isolation from the world; occasional danger, even from
wild beasts and savages. I grant these are but sorry exchanges for such
a splendid mansion as this--fine furniture, excellent cooking, polished
society, and the interest one feels for what is going on in our own
country, which is daily communicated to us. Now, as to hard labor, I and
Henry will take as much of that off your hands as we can: if the winter
is severe, there is no want of firewood; if the cabin is rude, at least
we will make it comfortable; if we are shut out from the world, we shall
have society enough among ourselves; if we are in danger, we will have
firearms and stout hearts to defend ourselves; and, really, I do not see
but we may be very happy, very comfortable, and, at all events, very
independent."

"Alfred, you talk as if you were going with us," said Mrs. Campbell.

"And do you think that I am not, my dear mother? Do you imagine that I
would remain here when you were there, and my presence would be useful?
No--no--I love the service, it is true, but I know my duty, which is,
to assist my father and mother: in fact, I prefer it; a midshipman's
ideas of independence are very great; and I had rather range the wilds
of America free and independent, than remain in the service, and have to
touch my hat to every junior lieutenant, perhaps for twenty years to
come. If you go, I go, that is certain. Why, I should be miserable if
you went without me; I should dream every night that an Indian had run
away with Mary, or that a bear had eaten up my little Emma."

"Well, I'll take my chance of the Indian," replied Mary Percival.

"And I of the bear," said Emma. "Perhaps he'll only hug me as tight as
Alfred did when he came home."

"Thank you, miss, for the comparison," replied Alfred, la