The first thing done, after a few minutes' talk, was to kneel in
prayer, Mrs. Ripley leading in a petition to Heaven that all might
be preserved from harm and reach the distant settlement safely. She
did not forget the absent Omas, or the hundreds of hapless people
whom they had left behind, who were still in great danger.
It was Mrs. Ripley's custom always to offer prayer in the little
household at the beginning of each day. Linna, who had gained a
dim idea of what the touching act meant, bent on her knees beside
Alice; and who shall say the petition which went up from her heart
was not heard and remembered by Him who notices the fall of every
sparrow.
And now came the serious business of the day. Many long miles of
trackless forest lay before them and the delay caused all to feel
the need of hurry.
Mrs. Ripley gave to each a moderate portion of the food brought
with them, carefully preserving what was left, for they were sure
to need that and much more before reaching the end of their journey.
The day promised to be sultry like the preceding one, and each sadly
missed the water with which to quench their thirst and splash upon
their faces and hands.
"We shall come across some before long," said Ben hopefully when
he and his mother had divided the luggage between them and set out
toward the rising sun; "we are a great deal better off than the
poor folks of Wyoming.
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