assage of time and the increase of the distance between them
and Wyoming the hopes of the little party naturally rose. They were now
a good many miles from their old home, and as yet had not seen a single
red man. That numbers were abroad there could be no doubt, although it
is a fact that a great many people did not start eastward until several
days after the battle.

But it was a long, long way to the Delaware, with the travelling such as
they had to face. I have spoken of the forest as being trackless and
a wrong impression may have been given. An old trail led from the
Susquehanna to the Delaware, and was followed by many of the fugitives;
but great risk was run by those who did so, for most of the pursuers
used the same path. As a consequence, some were overtaken and slain.

Those who avoided the beaten route of necessity suffered greater
hardships; but none was equal to that of meeting their enemies. Omas
took care to steer wide of this trail when leading the party into the
wild section to the east of the river, and he showed them that he wished
them to do the same. Ben was too wise to forget his wishes.

The location of the sun in the sky, the appearance of the bark and
moss, and the tops of certain trees, enabled the young woodman to keep
a pretty true course. He remarked, with a laugh, that if there was any
likelihood of going wrong, Linna would correct him.

The afternoon was well past before they came upon any more water, and,
with the warm weather and their long tramp, all suffered from thirst.
They were not traversing a desert country, however, and soon found what
they wanted in abundance.

"But," said Ben, "I am worried about food, mother. It is nearly night,
and we haven't a mouthful. I suppose if there was plenty, I wouldn't
feel half as bad, but it seems to me I was never so hungry in all my
life."

"That is natural; but, if necessary, we can go all night without food."

"If necessary, of course we can, but I dread it. Alice and Linna will
suffer, though I'm not so sure about Linna. I would give almost anything
for a wild turkey."

The dusky child looked up from where she was sitting on the ground,
playing with Alice.

"Want turkey--eh?" she asked.

"Yes; have you any to sell?"

"Me get you one."

Mother and son stared in amazement. They could not believe she was in
earnest. She saw it and, with a grin, added--"Omas showed Linna how get
turkey."

"What can she be driving at?" asked the