Through Forest and Fire - Wild-Woods Series No. 1 by Edward S. (Edward Sylvester) Ellis
page 43 of 244 (17%)
page 43 of 244 (17%)
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He shook his head.
"Not yet,--not yet; we goes a leetle furder." Nothing was added by way of explanation, and yet even little Nick knew why he had protested: he wished that all might keep together until they reached the creek. If nothing was learned of his child there, then he would follow the plan of the teacher. But something seemed to whisper to the parent that the place where they would gain tidings of little Nellie was near that dark, flowing water, which, like such streams, seemed to be always reaching out for some one to strangle in its depths. "Perhaps Mr. Ribsam is right," said the teacher, after a silence which was oppressive even though brief; "we will keep each other's company, for it is lonely work tramping through the woods, where there is no beaten path to follow." Thereupon the strange procession resumed its march toward the distant town of Dunbarton, pausing at short intervals to call and signal to the missing one. It was a vast relief to all that the weather continued so mild and pleasant. In the earlier part of the day there were some signs of an approaching storm, but the signs had vanished and the night was one of the most pleasant seen in September. Had the rain begun to fall, or had the temperature lowered, the mother would have been distracted, for nothing could have lessened the pangs |
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