“Oh, is it you? I am so glad you are here,” she repeated, placing both her hands in his, and looking up into his face.
“Now just see here,” said Seth, stepping earnestly forward, “I ’bject to this. Cos why, you haven’t the time to go into the sparking business, and if you do, why you’ll be obsarved. I advise you to postpone it till you git home. What’s the opinion of the audience?”
“Your suggestion is hardly necessary,” laughed Graham. “The business you referred to, shall most certainly be deferred until a more convenient season.”
“It gives me great pleasure,” remarked Haverland, “to witness this reunion of friends, and I thank God that my dear child, so nearly lost forever, has been restored to me; but, there is another, whose heart is nearly broken, who should not be kept waiting, and there is a long distance between us and perfect safety, which should be shortened as rapidly and quickly as possible.”
“That’s the idea,” added Haldidge, “it won’t do to consider yourself safe till you are, and that isn’t yet.”
“Jest so, exactly, and consequently all fall into line of march.”
Our friends now set out on a rapid walk homeward. As had been remarked, there was yet a long distance to be passed, and even now, while surrounded by darkness, it was reckless to halt or lag upon the way. Haldidge, as well as Seth, resolved that they should not pause until it was evident that Ina needed rest. Both well knew that the Mohawks would not yield up their captives, as long as there was a chance to regain them.
Seth’s only fear now was that they would be pursued and overtaken by some of the savages. That this apprehension was well grounded, the events which we shall now record, will plainly show.