Many times during his life had David had good reason to be
discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up
trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he
was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward
home. He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble,
but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters
worse by telling him more bad news. Nothing seemed to go right with
him. There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off
in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always
striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a
chance to earn a dollar or two. Why should he not stop work and let
things take their own course, as his brother did? He reached home
while he was revolving this question in his mind, and the first
person he saw when he climbed the fence and walked toward the
shingle-pile to resume work upon his traps, was his brother Dan.

"Whar you been an' what you been a doin' of?" demanded the latter, as
if he had a right to know.

"I've been over to Don's house," answered David; "and while I was
there I found out that you and father borrowed my ten dollars."

"'Tain't so nuther," cried Dan, trying to look surprised and
indignant.

"I believe everything Don and Bert tell me. They have never lied to
me and you have."