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"Ben has told me what you said: we are ready," replied Mrs. Ripley. He held the canoe steady and motioned her to take her place in it. She did so, and Alice nestled at her feet, being careful not to stir, for such frail craft are easily upset. The canoe was small, and the weight of the mother and child sank it quite low, though it would hold another adult. "Get in," added Omas to the lad.
Ben did not reply, but his mother rose from the other blanket on which she had been sitting, walked quietly to where the Delaware was standing, and laid her hand kindly on his arm. "Omas, I do not wish you to leave us," she said.
One quick glance was bestowed upon his child, and then he addressed himself to the work before him. Omas was as cunning as a serpent. He would not have hesitated to assail these two Senecas, for, truth to tell, he could never feel much love for the conquerors of his people. He did not fear them; but he saw the way to win his point without such tempestuous violence.
She did not forget the absent Omas, or the hundreds of hapless people whom they had left behind, who were still in great danger. It was Mrs. Ripley's custom always to offer prayer in the little household at the beginning of each day.
For weeks Omas had been sorely troubled in mind. He had visited the Christian brethren of his own tribe at the Moravian settlement of Gnadenhutten.
When, therefore, he told her of his longings, his questionings, his distress, his wretchedness, and his groping in the dark, she was able to say a great deal that helped to clear away the fogs and mists from his clouded brain. But Omas was in the very depth of darkness, and almost despair, when the fearful episode of Wyoming came.
The rush carried them beyond the main body of fugitives, though not out of danger, for the Iroquois were pursuing hard; but soon Omas loosened his grip and dropped the arm of the lad. They were far enough removed from the swirl to exchange words. "Where moder where Alice?", asked the Delaware, as if he had no concern for his own child. "At Forty Fort." "Linna with them?"
On the third day after the meeting in the woods, the party arrived at the little town of Stroudsburg, on the Upper Delaware, none having suffered the least harm. The skill of Omas kept them supplied with food, and his familiarity with the route did much to lessen the hardships which otherwise they would have suffered.
Her feet were as small as a doll's, and encased in the beaded little moccasins, were as pretty as they could be. "That is Linna," said the proud father as she came obediently forward. Little Linna, daughter of Omas, the Delaware warrior, was of the same age as Alice Ripley.
Both girls bounded to their feet, and hand in hand, walked to the door, with Omas gravely stalking after them. Mrs. Ripley had learned of the visitor, and stood on the threshold to welcome her. She took her by the hand and led her inside. Omas paused, as if in doubt whether he should follow; but her invitation to him was so cordial, that he stepped within and seated himself on a chair.
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