"Don't you think, Mrs. Sumerford," cried Bobby Holt, "they've given us some of the powder what the Indians that was killed had in their pouches; and we're going to shoot wild pigeons, and go in swimming: we hain't been in swimming this year." "Us girls," said Maud Stewart, "are going after blueberries on the mountains, while the boys are gunning and swimming." "I wish I could go," said Sam. "We'll bring you some pigeons, and you can go with us when you get well," said Archie Crawford. "I don't know about you children going in the woods. Who told you you might go?" said Mrs. Sumerford. "Mother said we might go," said Jane Holt. "Father said I might go," said Ike Proctor. "Did Mr. Holdness, or McClure, or Mr. Honeywood, know you were going?" "I don't know as they did; but father said the Indians had had such a browsing lately, they'd be shy of meddling with Wolf Run folks for a spell." "That wouldn't hinder them from prowling round, and snapping you up. Only think of Prudence Holdness. There hadn't been an Indian sign seen anywhere, and she only went out to pick a few herbs for her sick father, and was carried off; and it was of God's mercy, and of the Black Rifle, that she ever got back." "We've got guns, we know how to shoot, and we'll shoot 'em," said Archie proudly, "if they come near us." "Oh, my! hear the roosters crow. You won't be behind the loop-holes down there in the woods.--What do you think of it, Harry?" "Let 'em go, mother: I don't think there's any danger. Only look at it: these children were cooped up in garrison all winter; in the spring they had but little liberty, for since Prudence Holdness was carried off they have been kept in; and it's a hard case." "Well, Harry, I sha'n't have one minute's peace if they do go." "Well, mother, let 'em go; and, if you feel so, I'll get Mr. Holdness and Nat Cuthbert, and we'll take our guns and follow 'em. You know we haven't got so many hogs this year as usual, and the pigeons help out the pork-trough. I think we ought to kill all the game and catch all the fish we can." "O mother!" cried Sammy: "you've got flour now; and won't you make some berry-pies, and a pigeon-pie with crust, for me, 'cause I'm wounded and can't go? Won't you, ma'am?" "Yes; but I don't feel, I can't feel, it's what ought to be, for all these children to go into the woods, even if the men do go. Three of 'em can't have their eyes everywhere, and watch so many; and they may shoot each other, so many guns in children's hands." Mrs. Sumerford sat down to her loom in a frame of mind far from quiet. "We wanted Scip to go," said Jim Grant, "and Mr. Blanchard said he might: he was dying to go, but he was so scared of the Indians! but if Mr. Holdness, Harry, and Nat go, he won't be. I'll go and get him, and come after with him and the men."