Mrs. Ripley dared not answer the question as her heart prompted. At the same time, she could think of no means of throwing them off their track. "It might have been better had we stayed with Zitner and Burwink--no, it would not have been," she corrected herself, "for they were unfriendly to Linna. But we must go." The only hope that presented itself was that they might travel so far during the darkness that the Indians would not keep up the pursuit when the trail was revealed to them. The moon did not rise until very late, and there being no path, while all were in total ignorance of the neighborhood, it will be understood that they had set to work to do a very hard, if not impossible thing. Ben as usual took the lead, and, before he had gone twenty steps, was caught under the chin by a protruding limb that almost lifted him off his feet. Then he went headlong into a hollow and bruised himself against some stones. Still, he did not give up, and by and by the ground became more level and his mishaps less frequent. Alice and Linna, like little heroines, never murmured. All persevered until it was agreed that they were at least two miles from the camp fire. In making this hard journey, every one of the party met with several narrow escapes, and it was agreed that it was best to go no further until daylight. "As soon as we can see, we'll be off again, and ought to be able to travel as fast as they will do. Where they must watch all the time for our footprints, they cannot go off a walk." "We may as well wait." Throughout their haste, the blankets had been preserved. Indeed, the one over Ben's arm had served to break his fall more than once. These were placed on the ground, and the children lay down beside each other, quickly sinking to sleep; but the others, though pretty well worn, were too anxious to rest yet awhile. "I have no idea where we are," said the son; "but one place is as good as another at such a time, and the weather is so warm that blankets are not needed. Now, mother, I wish you would lie down beside the children and rest. You need it badly, I know." "And so do you, my son." "Not for some time yet." "But, if you intend to watch until daylight, you will be worn out by morning. Besides, you cannot stay awake unless you move about. I will agree to lie down if you will promise to call me when you think it is midnight, and let me take a turn." "I will agree to call you when I feel the need of you, and I will pace the ground like a sentinel on duty." The mother was forced to accept this proposition and, after some more cautious conversation, she did as her boy wished, and he was left alone. Ben did not forget his slip of the night before. It was necessary that one of the company should maintain watch while the others slept, and only these two could do it. He meant to guard the others through the short summer night, trusting to a chance of getting what slumber he needed on the morrow when the others were awake.