MD3PAD 754-756

[Toby G Levy]

        Dixon muses on the abundance of America.  Just as he was ready
to emigrate in January of 1773, Dixon's mother took ill and died. With
the American Revolution brewing and demand for coal ever increasing
Dixon stayed with his current method of income, surveying in his home
area.

        Dixon hears reports of the Shelbys and McCleans joining
militias. His dream of returning to America seems to be fading.  In a
conversation with Dixon he tries to figure out why he hasn't emigrated.
He thinks he couldn't bear to leave Meg and the two daughters she bore
him.

        Mason says they should think of their experience in America as
part of a military campaign, in which they acquitted themselves
honorably.  They are having this conversation while unsuccessfully
fishing at night for trout in the Wear river near Dixon's home.

        A Norfolk Terrier wanders by and Mason is sure it is the Learned
English Dog.  But Dixon says they saw the LED about sixteen years
before and the current dog is only about one year old.

        The dog follows them back to Dixon's house and they feed it.
The dog stays overnight. The next day it wanders around the town of
Bishop and returns to Dixon's house at suppertime.  Margaret feeds it
and asks Mason and dixon what they would like to name the dog.  Mason
says Fang and Dixon says Learned.  The dog ignores both names.

Toby