The remark of Omas prompted Ben's words--"How can I get mother,
and Alice and Linna, to the other side? They cannot swim the river."

"Linna swim," was the somewhat proud answer; "she take care of
Alice you take care of moder."

"I might at any other time, but with the people crowding around us,
and the Indians at our heels and shooting down all they can, what
chance have we? Why can't you come with me and help them?"

No doubt the Delaware had asked himself the question, for he
answered it not by words, but by breaking into a loping trot for
Forty Fort, with Ben running at his side. He halted before reaching
the refuge, and turned aside among the bushes overhanging the edge
of the river, his actions showing he was searching for something.

He speedily found a canoe, probably his own. It had been so
skillfully hidden among the dense undergrowth that one might have
passed within a couple of paces without seeing it.

He picked it up as if it were a toy boat and set it down in the
water.

"Go bring moder--bring Alice--bring Linna."

Ben was off like a shot, for he knew there was not a minute to
throw away. It was the season when the days were longest, and two
or three hours must pass before it would be fully night.

It would not do for Omas to go with Ben. His appearance at the