Great was the luxury when, at the close of a toilsome day, a few
pieces of bark could be so piled as to protect from wind and rain,
and a roaring fire could blaze and crackle before the little camp.
Then the appetite which hunger gives would enable him to feast upon
the tender cuts of venison broiled upon the coals, with more
satisfaction than the gourmand takes in the choicest viands of the
restaurant. Having feasted to satiety, he would stretch himself upon
the ground, with his feet to the fire, and soon be lost to all
earth's cares, in sweet oblivion.

The journey was safely accomplished. The Dutchman had a
father-in-law, by the name of Hartley, who lived in Virginia, having
reared his cabin within about three miles of the Natural Bridge.
Here the boy's contract came to an end. It would seem that the
Dutchman was a good sort of man, as the world goes, and that he
treated the boy kindly. He was so well pleased with David's energy
and fidelity, that he was inclined to retain him in his service.
Seeing the boy's anxiety to return home, he was disposed to throw
around him invisible chains, and to hold him a captive. He thus
threw every possible hindrance in the way of his return, offered to
hire him as his boy of all work, and made him a present of five or
six dollars, which perhaps he considered payment in advance, which
bound the boy to remain with him until he had worked it out.

David soon perceived that his movements were watched, and that he
was not his own master to go or stay as he pleased. This increased
his restlessness. Four or five weeks thus passed away, when, one
morning, three wagons laden with merchandise came along, bound to
Knoxville. They were driven by an old man by the name of Dugan, and
his two stalwart sons. They had traversed the road before, and David