The children nodded and he went back to his work of hanging a hammock among the trees. Mrs. Robbins had come West in need of rest, and her husband intended her to live in this hammock, as much as possible.
"I think Daddy acts very queer," said Lois as the two moved slowly away on the narrow forest path.
"This looks to me like an Indian trail," said Hal quite gloomily.
"That is what it is, of course," replied Lois. "The idea of Daddy saying so coolly if we get lost to ask for the hotel—and these woods full of Indians!"
"And we begged to go to the seashore, too," responded Hal.
They held each other by the hand and moved slowly. The piney air about them was delicious, and every few steps they would get another glimpse of the light blue of the dancing waves.
"I thought you wanted to see the Indians so much, Hal, and be a 'brave,'" said Lois at last.
He hesitated a little, but he knew that being a boy he ought to protect his sister, and he felt that she was being disappointed in him.
"Of course," he began, "if I had a war-bonnet and a bow and arrows—but all I have to slap 'em with is a wrist watch."
Lois started to laugh at this, but her laugh was quickly hushed and she and Hal stopped suddenly and clung more tightly together, for among the trees a dash of scarlet was visible. It was moving swiftly and came toward them.