"And therefore has no claim on our indulgence."

"No one has said he has," observed Ben, coming to his mother's
help; "he will never ask quarter from you or any white man."

"Where is he now? He brought you over the river, but seems to have
deserted you."

"He left because he didn't think we had further need of his aid;
we can get along without him."

"Now, see here," added Zitner, straightening up on the log and
slapping his knee; "I'll tell you what I've made up my mind to do.
I am willing to give in to Mrs. Ripley that far, that I won't harm
that youngster--that is, I will leave it to her father whether
I shall or shan't."

Neither mother nor son could understand the meaning of this strange
remark. They waited for the man to explain.

"I'm going to take her with us as a hostage. We're not clear of the
varmints yet. I believe Omas himself ain't far off, and the rest
will be on our heels all the way to Stroudsburg. If they get us
in a tight place, I'll let 'em know we've got the gal of Omas with
us, and if they harm a hair of our heads it'll be all up with her.
We'll take her clean to Stroudsburg, and then turn her loose, for
we won't have any further need of her; but she must go with us."

"Jabez Zitner," said Ben Ripley--"the moment you lay your hand