"I don't think much about him; and I don't suppose he thinks much about such a wild fellow as I am," he said in a careless tone.
"I wish you would, then," she said; "nobody can be happy if they do not trust in God and accept his offer of salvation, because they cannot feel secure for a moment without his love and protection; and they will not know where they are to go to when they die."
"I have not thought about that," said the stranger, in the same tone as before; "and I do not suppose I am likely to find it out."
"Then let me give you a book," said Clarice, "which will tell you all about it."
She went to the waggon, and brought out a small Bible.
"There! If you will read that, and do what it tells, you will become wise and happy."
"Well, my dear, I will accept your book, and do as you advise me. I once knew something about the Bible, before I left home, years and years ago; but I have not looked into one since."
Without opening the book, the stranger placed it in his breast-pocket; then, after exchanging a few words with my father, who promised to follow his advice, he left the camp and rejoined his companions.
My father, being unable to ride without difficulty, had himself placed in the waggon by the side of Clarice; and the animals being put to, we once more moved on to the westward, while we saw our late visitors take an easterly course.
My father, however, made but slow progress towards recovery; his wound was more serious than he had supposed, and it was too clear that he was in a very unfit state to undergo the fatigue of a journey.