in his arms with their cheeks together.

"Go 'cross," said he, pointing toward the other shore.

"Ben has told me what you said: we are ready," replied Mrs. Ripley.

He held the canoe steady and motioned her to take her place in it.
She did so, and Alice nestled at her feet, being careful not to
stir, for such frail craft are easily upset.

The canoe was small, and the weight of the mother and child sank
it quite low, though it would hold another adult.

"Get in," added Omas to the lad.

Ben obeyed. He knew all about such boats, and could have paddled
it across had there been a paddle to use, but there was none.

When the Delaware laid his rifle inside with Ben's, it was evident
he intended to swim, towing or shoving the boat.

"Come, Linna, there's just room for you," added the youth, reaching
out his hand for the dusky little girl.

Instead of obeying, she looked up at her father and said something
to which he made answer brusquely, as it sounded to the others.

Retreating several paces from shore, she ran nimbly to the edge
of the bank, and with a leap splashed away beyond the bow of the
canoe, and began swimming like a fish for the eastern shore.