When, therefore, he turned about and bade them goodbye, all doubt
was gone. Ben did not reply, but his mother rose from the other
blanket on which she had been sitting, walked quietly to where the
Delaware was standing, and laid her hand kindly on his arm.

"Omas, I do not wish you to leave us," she said.

He looked at her, for both stood where the firelight fell upon
their faces, and replied--"No danger--walk towards the rising
sun--need not walk fast--Iroquois won't hurt--soon be safe."

The lady was too wise to let her real objection appear.

"A while ago we heard the noise of a gun; our people are fleeing
through the woods, and the red men are following them. Alice is
tired, and we have stopped to rest. When we start again tomorrow,
some of the red men will be ahead of us. What shall we do without
our friend Omas?"

"He have gun." he replied, indicating Ben.

"So have the red men, and there are more of them."

Now, if Mrs. Ripley was skilful in reading the thoughts of the
Delaware, it may be that he, too, suspected the real cause for her
objections. Be that as it may, it was plain he was not satisfied.
He held the Ripley family in too high regard to offend them openly;
but Omas was set in his ways.