And the home they moved to was not
exactly a castle, but much more complete and human.
This was the beginning of a new settlement. Given good land in plenty,
and all the rest is easy; neighbours came in increasing numbers; every
claim was taken up; Rolf and Hendrik saw themselves growing rich, and
at length the latter was thankful for the policy that he once thought
so rash, of securing all the land he could. Now it was his making, for
in later years his grown-up sons were thus provided for, and kept at home.
The falls of the river offered, as Rolf had foreseen, a noble chance
for power. Very early he had started a store and traded for fur. Now,
with the careful savings, he was able to build his sawmill; and about
it grew a village with a post- office that had Rolf's name on the
signboard.
Quonab had come, of course, with Rolf, but he shunned the house, and
the more so as it grew in size. In a remote and sheltered place he
built a wigwam of his own.
Skookum was divided in his allegiance, but he solved the puzzle by
dividing his time between them. He did not change much, but he did
rise in a measure to the fundamental zoological fact that hens are
not partridges; and so acquired a haughty toleration of the cackle-
party throng that assembled in the morning at Annette's call.
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