shoulder with the other. As you remember, he was tall for his years,
strong, and with rugged health.

Had the weather been cooler he could have Kept up this method of
traveling for hours without fatigue; but the heat made it trying. True,
at that season of the year the foliage was dense on the trees and shut
out the sun's rays, except in the open spaces and natural clearings
which they now and then crossed; but the vegetation also stopped
whatever breeze was stirring, and obliged the members of the party to
halt many times to rest and cool themselves.

Mrs. Ripley had but few extra things to carry, and showed less fatigue
than anyone, excepting the Delaware child. The latter and Alice walked
most of the time side by side, and generally with clasped hands. There
was no use of their trying to keep their tongues still, but they were
wise enough to speak in whispers and such soft undertones that no one
else could tell what they said, and therefore nothing was to be feared
on that account from any enemies in the neighborhood.

"Why not he make sign?" was the startling question of Linna, pointing at
Ben, before the party had gone far after their brief rest.

"What do you mean?" asked the puzzled Mrs. Ripley; "he isn't to make any
sign to us till he sees or hears something wrong."

"People off dere!" replied Linna, pointing ahead and to the right of
their course. "Me hear dem speak."

It was true. The keen ears of the child had discovered a peril that
no one else suspected. She alone had caught the sound of voices that
escaped all other ears.

CHAPTER SEVEN: JABEZ ZITNER

At this moment Ben Ripley was about a hundred feet in advance of the
party and ascending a ridge in the woods, which were so open that he was
in plain sight of the others.

Mrs. Ripley, on hearing the alarming words of the little Delaware girl,
came to a stop. It seemed strange that Linna should have caught the
sounds noticed by no one else, and that, too, while she was whispering
to her companion, Alice; but even at that tender age the inherited
sharpness of hearing had been trained to a wonderfully fine degree.

Mrs. Ripley was too prudent to argue with her. It was not wise to take
any chances. Above all, it was important that Ben should know the truth,
for he was still walking away from them with no knowledge of their
discovery.

"S--h!" The sibilant noise made by the mother's lips crossed the space
and the listening lad halted and looked