indulged
in the fiction of saying that they had no thought of how matters stood
between him and these palefaces, and their hearts were glad to hear the
words fall from his lips. They would not harm his friends, and hoped
they would reach in safety the settlement for which they were looking.

Not only that, but they offered to go with them all the way.

This was too kind, and the offer was gratefully declined. Then the
Senecas withdrew, first returning Ben's rifle to him. Whether they
ever succeeded in overtaking Red Wolf cannot be known, and it is of no
moment.

The peril had burst over the heads of the little party like a
thundercloud; and now it had cleared, and all was sunshine again.

It was some minutes before the Ripleys could fully understand the great
good fortune that had come to them. Then their hearts overflowed with
thankfulness.

With her arms clasping her children Mrs. Ripley looked devoutly upward,
and murmured:

"I thank Thee, Heavenly Father, for Thy great mercy to me and mine.
Bless Omas and To-wika and Linna, and hold them for ever in Thy precious
keeping."

The events which had taken place were strange; but Mrs. Ripley
maintained, to the end of her life, that those which followed were
tenfold more remarkable.

You will remember that when Omas, after conducting the little company
some distance from Wyoming, showed a wish to leave them, the good woman
had no doubt what his purpose was: he wanted to take part in further
cruelties against the hapless settlers.

Omas had fought hard in the battle of July 3rd, 1778, and his friendship
for the Ripleys drew him away before the dreadful doings were half
completed. He yearned to go back and give rein to his ferocity. Mrs.
Ripley tried to restrain him, but in vain.

Such were her views; but she was in error. She did not read the heart of
the terrible warrior aright.

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. He had listened to the talk of the missionaries, and heard
of One who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; who, when He was
smitten and spat upon, bore it meekly; and who finally died on the
cross, that the red men as well as the white children might be saved.

All this was a great mystery to the Delaware. He could not grasp the
simple but sublime truths which lie at the foundation of Christianity.
But he longed to do so. At midnight