"
The Delaware child now found herself in a quandary. She had made
her plea, but, so far as she could see, it was in vain, since the
friendship of Red Wolf alone was not enough. One of the Senecas
was studying the body of the dead bear and paying no heed to her
words; the other had gone off, she knew not where.
What remained for her to do?
While the little one asked herself the question, and was trying, to
think what course she should follow, the absent Seneca was working
out the mischievous plot he had formed, and which was fully known
to his companions.
An uprooted tree lay extended on the ground, near where Mrs. Ripley
and her children saw Linna run off to plead with the Indians. Since
they could do nothing but wait, helpless and almost despairing,
for the return of the child, they sat down on the prostrate trunk.
Ben was near the base, close to the mass of upturned roots, which
spread out like an enormous fan, with its dirt and prong-like
roots projecting in all directions. He was tired, depressed, and
worn out. It will be remembered he had not slept a wink during the
preceding night, or eaten a mouthful of food since then. Strong,
sturdy, and lusty as he was, he could not help feeling the effects
of all this.
He leaned his rifle against a huge, gnarled root, within arm's
length of where he half reclined, with his feet extended along the
trunk.
Pages:
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113