Rolf had a matter of his own to settle. At the bookseller's he
asked for and actually secured a copy of the great book --
"Robinson Crusoe." It was with a thrilling feeling of triumph
that he wrote Annette's name in it and stowed it in his bag.
He left Albany next day in the gray dawn. Thanks to his uniform,
he got a twenty-five mile lift with a traveller who drove a fast
team, and the blue water was glinting back the stars when he
joined Quonab at Fort George, some sixty miles away.
In the calm betwixt star-peep and sun-up they were afloat. It was
a great temptation to stop at Hendrik's for a spell, but
breakfast was over, the water was calm, and duty called him. He
hallooed, then they drew near enough to hand the book ashore.
Skookum growled, probably at the hens, and the family waved their
aprons as he sped on. Thirty miles of lake and four miles of
Ticonderoga Creek they passed and the packet was delivered in
four days and three hours since leaving.
The general smiled and his short but amply sufficient praise was
merely, "You're a good 'un."
Chapter 75. Scouting in Canada
"Thar is two things," said Si Sylvanne to the senate, "that every
national crisis is bound to show up: first, a lot o' dum fools in
command; second a lot o great commanders in the ranks.
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