"S--h!" The sibilant noise made by the mother's lips crossed the
space and the listening lad halted and looked round. She did not
speak, but beckoned him to come back. He obeyed at once.
"Linna says she heard voices a minute ago, over yonder," whispered
Mrs. Ripley, as her son joined them.
"So me did," added Linna, in answer to the inquiring look of the
lad.
"You have sharp ears, little one; but are you sure?"
"Me am," was the confident reply.
"Where were they?"
She again pointed out the direction.
"That must be looked into: wait till I come back, and--"
"S--h!" interrupted the mother.
All caught an indistinct murmur, which proved Linna was right.
"Me tell you--eh?" she said in a proud undertone, her black eyes
sparkling with triumph.
"You are right: wait till I learn whether they are friends or
enemies. I will not be gone long."
Leaving the anxious group clustered together, Ben faced in the
direction of the sounds, which had stopped, and were so faint when
heard that he could not tell whether they belonged to friends or
foes.
As nearly as he could find out, the parties were just beyond the
crest of the ridge, and, but for the warning of Linna, he would
have run into the danger before knowing it.
With the utmost care he went up the slope.
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