"No, it is me," he added; a rather needless assertion, but he was hardly accountable for his words or actions then, as he clasped the lovely form closely to his breast, and pressed more than one fervent kiss upon her lips, now unresisting.
But then Annie started up with a little cry. The truth had flashed upon her mind, and brought her back once more to the stern realities of this life.
"I forgot—my father, mother—where are they?"
"Don't you know? Where did they leave you? And you have not told me how it is I find you here alone, at night," added John, curiously.
"We were afraid of the Indians, and left home, intending to call for your folks and then try to reach the lower settlements. But something—somebody shot at us and frightened the horses. Mine ran beneath a low limb, and I was brushed from his back. The fall must have stunned me for a time, because I heard nothing more of them. Then as I got up and walked away, trying to find where they went, I heard you after me, and thought it was an Indian. The rest you know," hurriedly explained the maiden.
"I'm afraid we're all in a bad fix, Annie. If you look, you can see the light from your house now. Dusky Dick set it on fire. Our home is on fire, too. No—don't be frightened; the folks were not in it. Fred came there and alarmed us, and I started on ahead to tell your folks the news, but got captured by the Indians. Fred said he would bring on the others to your house, when we all could go together."
"And father is on the way up there! He will get killed—I know it!"
"You said Tobe Castor was with them?"
"Yes; he came just before dark."
"Then he will save them from that. He is too old and cunning to walk blindly into such a scrape. But you I am troubled the most about now."