space. She landed, however, so near the water that had not the
watchful Linna caught one of the hands thrown up to save herself,
she would have fallen back in the stream.

Mother and son imitated them, and all stood on the other side of
the obstruction without having suffered any inconvenience.

While they were congratulating themselves, a startling reminder of
their danger came in the near report of a rifle. It was from the
direction in which they had seen the bear, and in the stillness of
the woods all heard a snarling growl, which proved that the beast
had received his death wound.

"The Indians are there!" whispered the frightened Ben; "what shall
we do, mother?"

"What can we do?" she asked, helpless and at her wits' end for the
moment; "there seems to be no escaping them."

"Me go talk with them," was the amazing remark of the little Delaware
girl.

"You talk with them!" repeated Mrs. Ripley; "what can you do?"

"Don't know--me try."

And without waiting for permission, Linna started on a light run
toward the point whence came the report of the rifle that gave
Bruin his death wound. Mother and son looked in each other's face
in mute wonderment for a full minute after the departure of the