“Somewhere in that region, Dave. But don’t be alarmed. White Buffalo is our friend, and he will not let the battle rage around your father’s trading-post, rest assured of that.”
“But the very fact that we are friends to White Buffalo may make the other tribes look upon us as enemies,” persisted Dave.
To this Joseph Morris could not answer, and the conversation left Dave much disturbed.
CHAPTER XV
THE SITUATION BETWEEN THE ENGLISH, FRENCH, AND INDIANS
The fall of snow which had marked Dave’s home-coming was followed by nearly a month of mild and fine weather, but after that winter set in heavily, and for weeks at a time those at the cabin in the clearing hardly stirred out, excepting to take care of the cattle and horses and do other necessary chores.
During that time but little was seen or heard of the outside world. Occasionally an Indian would stop at the cabin, for food and shelter, and from these red men it was learned that all of the Indians between the Shenandoah and the Ohio had buried the war hatchet until the last of the snow was off the ground.
“Then father is safe, at least for the time being,” said Dave. “That is, unless he is suffering from this bitter cold.”
“He will not suffer so long as there is wood around,” said Henry Morris. “Trust him to have a rousing fire. He always did believe in keeping the wood-pile heaped up.”
“You are right, Henry,” laughed Dave. “I can remember yet how he made us work at splitting wood the Saturday we wanted to go fishing.”
In the summer time the boys had but scant chance to improve their limited education, for there was no schoolhouse for miles around. Now, being housed up by the weather, they were made to bring out such study books as the family possessed, and Joseph Morris took a hand daily at teaching them to read, write, spell and cipher, and also gave them lessons in geography and history, while Mrs. Morris took it upon herself to give them a strong religious training. Everybody from Rodney the cripple to little Nell took part in the lessons, and so the days passed much more quickly than they might otherwise have done. Paper was scarce and they often ciphered on birch bark, which Henry had cut and pressed for that purpose, writing with quill pens and home made ink, or with sticks of charcoal.