If it had been possible for Snip to understand the situation fully, he could not have behaved with more discretion, according to his master’s views.
Instead of begging to be let down that he might enjoy a frolic on the green grass, he remained passive in Seth’s arms, pressing his nose up to the lad’s neck now and then as if expressing sympathy. The little fellow did not so much as whine when they passed rapidly by a cool-looking, bubbling stream, even though his tongue was lolling out, red and dripping with perspiration; but Seth understood that his pet would have been much refreshed with a drink of the running water, and said, in a soothing, affectionate tone:
“I don’t dare to stop yet a while, Snippey dear, for nobody knows how near the officers may be, and you had better go thirsty a little longer, than be kicked out into the street when I’m locked up in jail.”
A big lump came into the fugitive’s throat at the picture he had drawn, and the brook was left far behind before he could force it down sufficiently to speak.
Then the two were come to a small shop, in the windows of which were displayed a variety of wares, from slate pencils to mint drops, and here Seth halted irresolutely.
He had continued at a rapid pace, and fully an hour was passed since he parted from his friends. He was both hungry and weary; there were but few buildings to be seen ahead, and, so he argued with himself, this might be his last opportunity to purchase anything which would serve as food until he was launched into that wilderness known to him as “the country.”
No person could be seen in either direction, and Seth persuaded himself that it might be safe to halt here for so long a time as would be necessary to select something from the varied stock to appease hunger, and at the same time be within his limited means.
For the first moment since leaving the ferry-slip he allowed Snip to slip out of his arms; but caught him up again very quickly as the dog gave strong evidence of a desire to spend precious time in a frolic.
“You must wait a spell longer, Snippey dear,” he muttered. “We may have to run for it, an’ I mightn’t have a chance to get you in my arms again. It would be terrible if the officers got hold of you, an’ I’m afraid they’d try it for the sake of catchin’ me, ’cause everybody knows I wouldn’t leave you, no matter what happened.”
Then Seth stole softly into the shop, as if fearing to awaken the suspicion of the proprietor by a bold approach, and once inside, gazed quickly around.