“Young man,” said he, “I do entreat you to give this to George Fielding the moment he returns to the camp. Why did he go without coming to see me? my old heart is full of misgivings.”
“You needn't have any, sir,” said Jem, surprised at the depth of feeling in the old Jew's face and voice. “He shall have the letter, you may depend.”
Levi thanked him.
He then said to Nathan: “Strike the tents, collect our party, and let us be gone.”
“What! going to leave us, sir?”
“Yes! young man, this very hour.”
“Well now, I am sorry for that, and so will the captain be, and his pal that you think so much of.”
“We shall not be long parted,” said the old man, in his sweet musical Eastern accent, “not very long, if you are faithful to your trust and give the good young man my letter. May good angels hover round him, may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob guard him!”
“Amen!” said rough Jem; for the reverend face glowed with piety, and the voice was the voice of prayer.
Suddenly an unpleasant reflection occurred to Jem.