He never could capture so many quails if Dan was resolved to work against him, and neither could he make his enterprise successful if he allowed him an interest in it.

David did not know what to do.
"I might as well give it up," said he to himself, after a few minutes' reflection.

"I'll go up and tell Don that I can't fill the order; and while I am about it, I might as well ask him for that money.

Perhaps, if I pay father's debt, Silas Jones will give us what we need until I can find something to do." With this thought in his mind, David arose and went into the cabin.
He put on the tattered garment he called a coat, exchanged his dilapidated hat for another that had not seen quite so hard service, and bent his steps toward General Gordon's house.

While he was hurrying along, thinking about his troubles and the coming interview with Don Gordon, and wondering how he could word his request so that his friend would not feel hard toward him for asking for his money before it had been earned, he was almost ridden down by a horseman, who came galloping furiously along the road, and who was close upon him before David knew there was any one near.
"Get out of the way, there!" shouted the rider.