Linna's Woodcraft

"Well," finally said Zitner, rising to his feet, "I intended to
see you folks safe to the Delaware; but I won't have anything to
do with you now. Come, Horace."

He strode off without another word or looking to the right or left.
Burwink waited a minute, and then, with a quizzical look at Mrs.
Ripley and her son asked-"Do you think you can stand it?"

"We shall have to," replied Ben.

"Well, goodbye, and good luck to you;" and he followed his friend
among the trees.

"That was a luckier ending than I expected," remarked Ben, letting
down the hammer of his rifle.

"If Mr. Burwink had sided with him, there would have been no help
for it," said his mother.

"Such people are always cowards. I wasn't afraid of him."

Now that they had departed, Linna came over to her champion--
though she could not have fully understood all that had passed--
and placed her hand confidingly on his shoulder.

"Linna, I have two sisters," he said tenderly; "yonder is one, and
her name is Alice: can you tell me the name of the other?"

"Yes--she name be Linna."

"You are right. Now, if you will kiss me, I won't tickle you any
more for making my nose itch this morning."

The lips were put up to his, and with deep affection on the part
of both, the salute was exchanged.

"If any more white people show themselves, and they ask you your
father's name, let mother and me answer for you."