that land in a rising neighborhood, and that was likely to increase
in value, was worth two or three shillings, or even more, an acre."

Mr. Hardy hesitated. "Well, Clara, the land is at present upon the
extreme verge of the settlements, and the Indians are apt sometimes
to be a little troublesome, and to drive off a few horses or
cattle. No doubt the thing has been exaggerated; still there is
something in it, and the consequence is, people are rather afraid
to bid, and I have got this splendid tract of land for about
twenty-five hundred dollars; and, not improbably, in ten years it
may be worth ten times as much."

"A great proportion of these Indian tales are built up upon very
small foundations," Mr. Thompson said cheeringly; and Mrs. Hardy's
face, which had been a little serious, cleared up again, and in
listening to her husband's account of his travels, she forgot all
about the Indians. The boys, however, by no means did so; and as
they were going to bed Charley said: "I think there is some chance
of a row with the Indians, Hubert, for I noticed that Mr. Thompson
looked grave when papa first said where he had bought the land.
Depend upon it, we shall have some fun with them after all." They
would have thought it still more likely had they heard the
conversation between their father and Mr. Thompson after the ladies
had gone to bed.

"Why, my dear Hardy, how came you, with a wife and family, to think
of buying land so exposed to the Indian attacks? Every season, when
they come down, they sweep off the horses and cattle from the
outlying settlements, and murder the people if they get a chance. I
look upon it as madness."