It need not be said that our friends were greatly relieved by the
departure of Zitner. While as I have already said, they ought to
have been glad of the company of him and Burwink, they would have
been ill at ease so long as the surly fellow was with them. He
surely held no good will toward the little girl, and would have
found some chance to show it.
"But are we really rid of him?" asked Ben of his mother. The two
sat close to each other on the tree, and the children were playing
a few steps away.
"I am quite sure we are."
"He may steal back tonight, if we camp near."
"Why should he? He does not want to harm Linna, but to use her as
a means of safety against her own people."
"That was what he said, but I don't believe him. It seems to me we
ought to change our course, to be certain of not meeting him again."
"As you think best."
"We have had a good rest. Come, girls, we must be off." Taking the
lead as before, Ben strode down the incline, bearing more to the
left than he had been doing.
All smiled at Linna, for she noticed the change on the instant.
"You go wrong," she said; "dat not right way."
"Which is the right way, Miss Smartness?"
She pointed it out.
"You are right, but that is the course of that bad man, who doesn't
like you.
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