He now hated the man who was so tyranically domineering over him.

He had no desire to return to his home, and he dreaded the hickory stick with which he feared his brutal father would assail him.

One dark night, an hour or two before the morning, David carefully took his little bundle of clothes, and creeping noiselessly from the cabin, rushed forward as rapidly as his nimble feet could carry him.

He soon felt quite easy in reference to his escape.

He knew that the wagoner slept soundly, and that two hours at least must elapse before he would open his eyes.