"Not a scratch--which is more than many other poor fellows can say. Where are the children?" A tiny hand was slipped into his own, and looking down, there stood Linna, with her forefinger between her teeth, looking shyly up at him. There could be no doubt she felt fully acquainted. Alice came forward on the other side. Neither understood the cause of the turmoil about them. They were not scared, but were awed into silence. "I saw Omas," explained Ben to his mother; "he saved me from the fate of many others." "Where is he?" "A little way off, under the bank, waiting with his canoe, to take us across the river. "He says we must hurry through the woods for the settlements on the Upper Delaware. Every hour that we stay increases our danger." "Let me take Alice; lead the way." Clasping tight the hand of Linna, with his mother at his heels, Ben pushed for the point where he had left the Delaware a few minutes before. Strange that though the distance was not far, and the confusion seemed to be increasing every minute, the little party had not gone half way when they were checked by one of the men that had been in the battle. He was slightly wounded, and under the influence of liquor. "Who's that you've got with you?" he demanded, looking down at Linna, who saw no danger in the act. "A friend of Alice and me." "She looks like an Injin," added the soldier, scowling threateningly at her; "if she is, I want her." "I told you she is a friend of ours--get out of my way!" The soldier's condition enabled Ben to tumble him over on his back by means of a vigorous shove. Before he could steady himself and get upon his feet again, the others were beyond reach. I am sure he would not have acted that way, had he been in the possession of his senses. When Ben parted from Omas, he was without a rifle, but on joining him again, the warrior had a fine weapon in his hand. It was not the one with which he appeared at the house. The lad might have guessed how he got it, but he did not ask any questions, nor seem to notice it. As the party came up, Omas merely glanced at Mrs. Ripley and her child, but did not speak. As for his own little girl, he gave her no notice. Young as she was, she understood him, and did not claim any attention from him. If they had been alone, she would have been 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.