“It is,” replied Strawberry. “I know well that whistle. I go to fetch him. Have no fear.”
Strawberry stepped out from the group, and went up to the tree, calling John softly by name, and in a few seconds afterwards returned, leading John by the hand, who, without saying a word, quietly seated himself down by the fire.
“Well, John, how did you come here?” exclaimed Alfred.
“Followed trail,” replied John.
“But how—when did you leave home?”
“Yesterday,” replied John, “when I came back.”
“But do your father and mother know that you have come?” said Captain Sinclair.
“I met old Graves, and told him,” replied John. “Have you any meat?”
“The boy has had nothing since he left, I’ll answer for it,” said Martin, as the Strawberry handed some of the pork to John. “Have you, John?”
“No,” replied John, with his mouth full.