"I feel so relieved," said Virginia. "It seems as though I had suffered a hundred deaths since that dreadful night. How soon may we expect to reach the settlement, Luther?"
"I cannot tell you precisely, but in three hours, I should say, at the furthest. What do you think, Pat?"
"Never having been in this region, I find it rather difficult to answer your question, as the minister said, when the old woman axed him how Jonah felt in the whale's belly."
"I forgot; you told me that before. However, I cannot be far out of the way in my guess."
"Is it not singular, Luther, that, if we are so close to the village, these Indians also should be?"
"Not at all. I have no doubt that there are hundreds within half a mile of it. On an exposed frontier it is always thus. Without good defences, brave hearts, and trusty rifles, such a place would not be safe from destruction for a single hour."
"Whisht!" interrupted the Irishman. "If I didn't hear the tramp of one of the haythens on shore, I'll never tip another shillaleh!"
"I heard it, too—the snapping of a twig," added Virginia.
"The same, jist—one of the dogs is follying us."