They had but to keep on tramping for several days
and nights, and they would reach the little town of Stroudsburg,
which, you may know, is near Delaware Water Gap. There they need
have no fear of the red men.
Mrs. Ripley knew all this as well as Omas himself, but she did not
wish him to go back and join the hostile Iroquois, as he wanted
to do. She felt it would be far better if he would stay with them,
for then he would do no further harm to the white people.
When, therefore, he turned about and bade them goodbye, all doubt
was gone. Ben did not reply, but his mother rose from the other
blanket on which she had been sitting, walked quietly to where the
Delaware was standing, and laid her hand kindly on his arm.
"Omas, I do not wish you to leave us," she said.
He looked at her, for both stood where the firelight fell upon
their faces, and replied--"No danger--walk towards the rising
sun--need not walk fast--Iroquois won't hurt--soon be safe."
The lady was too wise to let her real objection appear.
"A while ago we heard the noise of a gun; our people are fleeing
through the woods, and the red men are following them. Alice is
tired, and we have stopped to rest. When we start again tomorrow,
some of the red men will be ahead of us.
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