“I know you are brave enough to go, Joe,” said Mr. Winship. “But I want you to remain behind and look out for Cora and Harmony.”
“And you, Harry, must look after your mother,” put in Peter Parsons. “And, besides, both you boys want to prepare all the food you can for the long winter that will soon be on us. If by some cause we do not get back as soon as expected, we don’t want anybody here to starve to death.”
“Ah, husband, if thee will take good care of thy body we will take care of ours,” answered Mrs. Parsons. “And the same to thee, friend Winship.”
“We’ll try to come back safe and sound,” answered Mr. Parsons. “And, God willing, we will bring back the lost ones with us.”
The last night together in the log cabin was a sober one. Mrs. Parsons, a truly good woman, insisted on holding a Quaker meeting, and she and her husband prayed most earnestly for all present, that they might pass through the coming months unharmed, and might at last come together again with the lost ones with them.
The expedition started at sunrise. Joe and Harry saw them a mile or more on the way. Then came a final handshake, and the expedition continued on its way to the northwestward, while the two young pioneers turned back toward the log cabin, never dreaming of all that was to happen ere they should see their fathers again.
CHAPTER XVI
THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE
After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever. Although but little was said on the subject all felt that the expedition that had been undertaken was a most serious one. Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
But with so much work to be done, the boys had no time for idle speculation. They felt the responsibility that had been thrust upon them, and they determined to do their duty to the best of their ability.
The first work at hand was to gather in what remained of the somewhat scanty summer harvest. This was comparatively easy work, and the young pioneers were at it early and late.