CHAPTER XVIII.
THE TEST The people of Wareville had good reason alike for pride and for sorrow, pride for victory, and sorrow for the fallen, but they spent no time in either, at least openly, resuming at once the task of founding a new state.
Henry Ware, the hero of the hour and the savior of the village, laid aside his wild garb and took a place in his father's fields.

The work was heavy, the Indian corn was planted, but trees were to be felled, fences were to be cut down, and as he was so strong a larger share than usual was expected of him.

His own father appreciated these hopes and was resolved that his son should do his full duty.
Henry entered upon his task and from the beginning he had misgivings, but he refused to indulge them.

He handled a hoe on his first day from dawn till dark in a hot field, and all the while the mighty wilderness about him was crying out to him in many voices.

While the sun glowed upon him, and the sweat ran down his face he could see the deep cool shade of the forest--how restful and peaceful it looked there! He knew a sheltered glade where the buffalo were feeding, he could find the deer reposing in a thicket, and to the westward was a new region of hills and clear brooks, over which he might be the first white man to roam.
His blood tingled with his thoughts, but he never said a word, only bending lower to his task, and hardening his resolve.