When Stephen selected such goods as he thought Walter might need during
his enforced retreat, he did not neglect anything which would possibly be
useful to the fugitive, and the result was that when the young messenger
started through the pathless forest, his load was so heavy as to retard
his progress very decidedly.

Therefore it was that on the following morning he had not yet arrived at
his proposed destination, although it was but a comparatively short
distance from Portsmouth.

He had slept in the woods where night overtook him, and at the first faint
light of day was making a frugal breakfast of the bread and cheese sent by
his mother.

When the gloom of night had been dispersed by the heralds of the
approaching sun, Walter was at that point on the river from which he could
see the landmarks of his tract, and the knowledge that he was about to
enter on his own possessions served to cheer his drooping spirits.

"If it is necessary to skulk around here in the woods to avoid being seen
by Sam Haines, there is no reason why I should not make the most of my
time," he said to himself, as hope began to spring up once more in his
breast. "There is little chance I shall be able to raise any money for the
mill now, when I have been defrauded of a goodly portion of my poor
possessions, but I can at least make preparations for the day when I shall
be in a position to carry out my plans. It is better to work than remain
idle."

It was the first time since he took leave of his friend Stephen that the
mental burden had been lightened, and now he pressed forward eagerly,