Rolfe smiled at the artless manner in which she asked it, and replied, “He means, my love, that his horse is foundered from pursuing the party who brought you here captive;” then turning to Earth, said, “I did not think of that, Earth; our horses are surely in no condition to travel.”
“No,” answered Earth, “I said old Juno might move in a short trot, but I don't believe one of 'em could move a peg, if you were to place a dozen ears of corn in their sight, and just so far that they couldn't reach it; and you know, if any thing could jerk 'em out of their places, that would be the thing to do it. They were stiff when we got off of them, and the thing is worse now; for they have been standing some six or eight hours, or perhaps longer,—for it is so cloudy that I can't exactly see what is the hour. No, Rolfe, 'taint worth while to talk about running away; as I said before, the best thing we can do, is to enter the camp. Let us get as near to it as we can to-night, and when morning comes, go in;—we shall then be safe.”
“Would it not be better for us to go in to-night?” inquired Rolfe.
“No,” answered Earth, “that would be rather dangerous; you can see from here, that in the camp they all seem to be asleep; the sentries are, no doubt, keeping a bright watch, and if we were to go poking about there to-night, we might be used up as so many Ingens, before we could make them know who we were.”
“That we should,” said Gay; “Richard, you know they would take me for an Indian; and indeed, I should feel ashamed to go into the camp in the morning disguised as I am. Will you not let me try and get off some of the paint first?”
“My love,” answered Rolfe, “that is a matter of no moment, they will only compliment you for your heroism, and respect you the more for the dangers you have escaped.”
“A woman will be a woman,” said Earth; “she cares more now about the paint on her face, than she does about the fear of being scalped.”
“Oh! how can you say so,” said Gay.
“Come, Rolfe,” said Earth, “I think we had better be moving; it must be getting towards day, and every thing is so quiet now, that we cannot have a better time. We must leave the horses to take their chance, and I will return and see about them to-morrow.”
“Then move on,” said Rolfe, “we will follow,” and starting off, Earth led the way, saying, “step lightly, and let no one speak until we stop.”