He made no reply to the last remark, but stepped a little nearer
the fire and sat down, moody and silent.

"You have said enough, mother," remarked Ben in a low voice; "it
will anger him to say more. I will sit with my head against the
rock; do you lie down on the blanket and let your head rest in my
lap. I think it will be safe for us all."

With some hesitation the mother complied, the Delaware apparently
paying no heed to them. He kept his seat on the ground, looking
gloomily into the fire and in deep thought. A struggle was going
on in his mind, and no one could say whether the good or evil would
win.

Ben Ripley was anxious that his mother should sleep. She had
undergone the severest of trials since early morning, and none had
wrought harder than she. The morrow would make further demands on
her strength. As for himself, he was young, sturdy, and could stand
more and rally sooner than she.

When, therefore, she said something in a low tone, he placed his
hand softly over her mouth and whispered--"S--h! go to sleep,
baby."

He smoothed the silky hair away from the forehead so gently and so
soothingly that she could not resist the effect. She meant to keep
awake until Omas made his final decision; but no person can resist
the approach of slumber, except by active movement.

Before long, and while Ben's hand was still gliding like down over