James’s actions on Andrew’s behalf demonstrate that an emigrant’s hard work wasn’t simply a matter of rugged individualism, but of integration into one’s new community. Andrew proves his mettle to a sympathetic farmer who, in turn, speaks favorably of him to a potential lender. As lessee, Andrew must also do work benefiting the landowner. Yet this is a far more mutually beneficial agreement than Andrew’s former situation in Scotland, since it’s based on a contract instead of a king’s assumed privileges.