You had better go along with Amos Thatcher and me." I said I didn't believe I could--I had planned to locate in Iowa.

He dropped the subject by saying that I would overtake him and Thatcher on the road, and we could talk it over again.

When did I think of getting under way?
I answered that I thought I should stay hauled up to rest my horses for a half-day anyhow, so perhaps we might camp that night together.
"A good idea," said Thatcher, smilingly, as they drove off.

"Join us; we get lonesome." I laid by that forenoon because one of my mares had limped a little the day before, and I was worrying for fear she might not be perfectly sound.

I hitched up after noon and drove on, anxiously watching her to see whether I had not been sucked in on horse-flesh, as well as in the general settlement of my mother's estate.