The young aviator snatched up the little girl in his arms.
“Help the lady, Hiram,” he directed, “and follow me.”
Dave led the way to a thick copse. The woman told the little girl to keep perfectly quiet. In a few minutes the men they had seen passed by without discovering them.
“I must get to my husband at once,” said the woman, eagerly, as soon as the horde of raiders was out of sight and hearing.
“You can’t go alone,” observed Dave. “Here, we will go with you. Take turns at carrying the little girl, Hiram.”
The woman sobbed out her heartfelt gratitude. Then Dave questioned her as to the direction of Brambly Fork, and all were soon on the way.
“This isn’t looking for Mr. King, Dave,” suggested Hiram, after awhile.
“Mr. King will take care of himself, Hiram,” replied the young aviator.
“Yes, but neither is this looking for a town where we might get that quicksilver.”
“It’s on the way to it, isn’t it? When we get to the place where this woman’s husband is, some of the crowd can direct us to the nearest settlement, that is sure.”