The form I mean is just here;
you may see it, at this moment, turning by the bend in the brook."
"There is one of a certainty, and it should be one of our hunting party,
too; and yet he doth not seem to be of a size or of a gait like that of
Eben Dudley. Thou shouldst have a knowledge of thy kindred, girl; to me it
seemeth thy brother."
"Truly, it may be Reuben Ring; still it hath much of the swagger of the
other, though their stature be nearly equal--the manner of carrying the
musket is much the same with all the borderers too--one cannot easily tell
the form of man from a stump by this light--and--yet do I think it will
prove to be the loitering Dudley."
"Loiterer or not, he is the first to return from this long and weary
chase," said Ruth, breathing heavily, like one who regretted that the
truth were so. "Go thou to the postern, and admit him, girl. I ordered
bolts to be drawn, for I like not to leave a fortress defended by a female
garrison, at this hour, with open gates. I will hie to the dwelling, and
see to the comforts of those who are a-hungered, since it will not be long
ere we shall have more of them at hand.
Pages:
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199