"
The mother pinched the clothing of Linna, and found it dried of
the moisture gained by her swim in the Susquehanna.
It is a curious practice among not only the Indians, but with
many white people, not to change wet stockings or garments for dry
ones. I knew a fisherman's boy whose father once punished him for
removing his saturated stockings and shoes for others.
"Always let 'em dry on you, and you won't catch cold," was his
doctrine. "Keep moving if you can, but don't change 'em."
I don't believe in the practice; but be that as it may, the little
Delaware girl showed no ill effects from sleeping in the clothing
that had been wet. As for her father, he would have been insulted
at the mention of such a thing to him.
Ben's belief about finding water proved true. They had gone hardly
a half mile from camp when they came upon a sparkling brook, cold
and clear, and abundant enough to serve all. Having no vessels
with them, they lay down and quaffed their fill. Then they bathed
their faces and hands in the delicious fluid, and were much refreshed.
The expectation was that they would travel a good many miles before
night again overtook them. The way, while rough and broken in many
places, was not hard, and all, even to the smaller children, were
used to being on their feet.
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