to go to the
Delaware."

"Yes," he replied, "Iroquois won't hurt you there--must go."

"We haven't a particle of food with us; Ben has his gun and may have a
chance to shoot some game on the way--more than likely, he will have no
chance at all; it will take us several days to reach Stroudsburg, which,
I believe, is the nearest point. Don't you think it best that we should
stop at the house and get what food we can?"

"Yes, we do dat; come 'long; not great time."

There could be no safer guide than the Delaware, when his race were such
complete masters of the situation; though there was risk that a patriot
hiding somewhere in the neighborhood might take a shot at him, under the
belief that he meant harm to the captives.

The humble log structure was found just as it was left that morning.
If any of the marauding bands of Indians paid it a visit, they did not
linger after seeing it was tenantless.

There was a whole loaf of bread and part of another left beside some
cooked chicken, and a number of live ones were scratching the ground
outside, as if they had no concern in what was going on.

"The weather is warm now," remarked the prudent housewife, "but a cold
storm may set in before we reach shelter."

With which she folded a blanket from her bed and laid it over her arm.

"It will come handy to sleep on," added Ben, who did the same with a
second, despite the weight of his rifle, which (as they were made in
those days) was a good load of itself for a strong boy.

Omas showed some impatience, though his companions did not understand
the cause. His actions, indeed, were curious. They supposed he meant to
conduct them all or a greater part of the way to Stroudsburg, though at
times he appeared to be hesitating over it, or over some other scheme he
had in mind.

Ben Ripley had rambled among the rugged scenery, on the eastern shore of
the river, having gone with his father many times when he was on hunting
excursions; but he was not as familiar with the ins and outs of the
mountains as the Delaware, whose village was a good many miles away.

None of the party had eaten anything of account since the early morning
meal, before they crossed the Susquehanna. The dangers, excitement,
and suspense of the hours drove away the thought of food. Young as was
Linna, she had already learned not to ask for it when either of her
parents chose not to offer it to her. Doubtless she was hungry, but if
so, no one else knew it.