With a fine horse of his own, the gift of his father, he knew that the course lay open.

The long route he had more than once travelled before; and he had no fears, though he well knew the desolate character of the journey, in pursuing it alone.

Apart from this, he loved adventure for its own sake.

The first lesson which his father had taught him, even in boyhood, was that braving of trial which alone can bring about the most perfect manliness.

With a stout heart, and with limbs not less so, the difficulties before him had no thought in his mind; there was buoyancy enough in the excitement of his spirit, at that moment, to give even a pleasurable aspect to the obstacles that rose before him.
At an early hour he commenced the work of preparation: he had little trouble in this respect.