As the party came up, Omas merely glanced at Mrs. Ripley and her child,
but did not speak. As for his own little girl, he gave her no notice.
Young as she was, she understood him, and did not claim any attention
from him. If they had been alone, she would have been in his arms with
their cheeks together.

"Go 'cross," said he, pointing toward the other shore.

"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 obeyed. He knew all about such boats, and could have paddled it
across had there been a paddle to use, but there was none.

When the Delaware laid his rifle inside with Ben's, it was evident he
intended to swim, towing or shoving the boat.

"Come, Linna, there's just room for you," added the youth, reaching out
his hand for the dusky little girl.

Instead of obeying, she looked up at her father and said something to
which he made answer brusquely, as it sounded to the others.

Retreating several paces from shore, she ran nimbly to the edge of the
bank, and with a leap splashed away beyond the bow of the canoe, and
began swimming like a fish for the eastern shore.

It was a real treat for her, even though she did not remove any of her
clothing. The weather was sultry, and the bath refreshingly cool. Not
comprehending the sad scenes around her, she dived, and splashed, and
frolicked, easily keeping in advance of the boat.

Truth to tell, the canoe had all it could hold, and Omas, who swam at
the stern, handled it with care to prevent it overturning. The water
rose almost to the gunwales, and a little jolt or carelessness would
have capsized it.

The Delaware swam high out of water. He knew the boat would attract the
attention of some of his own people on the bank, who, if they thought
the occupants were escaping, would either pursue or fire on them.

The sight of the Indian, however, at the stern would make it appear that
they were already prisoners, and the other warriors would give their
attention elsewhere.

Omas kept clear of Monacacy Island, and by and by his feet touched
ground. Before that, the dripping Linna had run out on land, and so the
whole pa