"All that I must leave
undone? The struggle would not be so great for you. There are schools
near at hand now. You would not have the fearful odds to contend with
that I had. _Will_ you take up my battle? Shall I leave you my sword,
John Jay? Oh, you _do_ understand me, don't you?" he cried, imploringly.
"Yes, I understand," answered the boy. Then, as if George had really
placed an epaulet upon his shoulder, as if he had really given him a
sword, he drew a long breath and said with all the solemnity of a
promise: "Some day Uncle Billy shall say that about me, 'He have fought
a good fight,--he have finished his co'se.'"
[Illustration: Swords]
[Illustration: Tollgate (up)]
CHAPTER IX.
It came to pass as George had said. One cold, rainy day when the wind
rustled the fallen leaves and sighed through all the bare branches, he
came haltingly up to the end of his lonely pilgrimage. It was given to
little John Jay to hold his hand and look into his eyes as Death swung
up the bar and bade him pass on.
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