“Then he would have been drowned if you had not been near?”
“Yes, if he could not swim.”
“He is too young to swim. But you are wet,” added the Indian, noticing for the first time the condition of Ernest’s clothes.
“Yes, a little.”
“Come in,” said the Indian abruptly.
He led the way into the log-cabin.
There was a stove in the center of the room, and the air was so heated as to be uncomfortable. As he led the child in a stout Indian woman came forward with a cry and took him in her arms. Her husband rapidly explained what had happened. She instantly stripped the clothes from the child and put on a dry change.
“Now,” said the Indian, turning to Ernest, “take off your wet clothes.”
Though Ernest knew that it was wise to do so, he felt bashful about removing them in presence of the woman. But his Indian host brought from a nail on which they hung a pair of buckskin breeches of his own and offered them to Ernest for temporary use.
Ernest no longer hesitated, but made the substitution.