"I don't know," replied Little Peter disconsolately.
The words brought him face to face again with the problem that must be solved. The fresh cool air of the morning, the silence of the forest, and, above all, the enjoyment of the breakfast which John had provided, made him at first wish that he might remain there and forget all the troubles that were so near. But Peter was not a selfish lad, and knew that the motherless children must be provided for.
"I was going to Benzeor's," he said after a time, "but I don't know what to do now. I can't understand what he meant by coming back here in broad daylight after what has happened. He knows that I know all about it, and that was the reason why he wanted to catch me last night. I can't go up to his house now, and yet I don't dare leave the children there, either."
"Boy go," said Indian John quietly.
"But I can't go, John. How can I? There were four men with Benzeor, and you heard what he said. It wouldn't be safe for me to go there now. I don't know what to do."
"Boy go; Benzeor no there."
"Benzeor not there? How do you know? What makes you think that, John?"
"John been there."
"When? This morning?"
The Indian nodded his head, and then said, "Man no there. Girl there. Two, t'ree little Peters there. Boy go. All safe."