CHAPTER XVI.
MARY BROWN SENDS A MESSAGE.
The next morning every one was up and stirring long before sunrise. The Indians were well satisfied with a dollar apiece for their services, which had been truly valuable, for they had conducted Chap right into the arms of his friends, although the undertaking had been accompanied by great danger to all concerned, and they took a hasty breakfast and started off to continue their hunting expedition.
While the boys and Adam were still eating their morning meal, Mary Brown came down to the river. She had a clean sun-bonnet and wore shoes and stockings. These seemed to interfere a good deal with her comfort in walking; but it was quite evident that she had dressed herself in her best for this visit, and most people are willing to sacrifice some comfort when they wish to look very well, indeed.
“Mother says she would have come down to see you,” said Mary Brown; “but she’s got the rheumatism in her knee-bones, and can’t walk much. She wanted to see you all, for there ain’t many people who come here, and when they do come, they’re pretty rough.”
“I think we look pretty rough,” said Phil, smiling, as he glanced around at the blue shirts and travel-stained garments of his companions.
“Clothes ain’t everything,” said Mary; “but if thar was a church here, you’d do to go.”
“Where do you go to church?” asked Chap, as he rose from his breakfast.
“Me?” said Mary Brown, with a smile. “Why, I was never at church in my life.”
Chap looked surprised, and although the others were gathering up the breakfast things and preparing to depart, he continued to talk to Mary Brown.
The girl had been very kind to him. Besides this, she interested him. He had never before met with a young person of that kind.