But recollection soon came, and
with it not only the suspicious circumstance of his disappearance, but the
inexplicable manner of his admission within the gates.
"The pickets must be looked to!" exclaimed Dudley, the instant a second
look assured him that his eyes in truth beheld him who had been missing
"The place that a stripling can scale, might well admit a host."
"Truly," said Content, "this needeth explanation. Hath not the boy entered
when the gate was opened for the stranger?--Here cometh one that may speak
to the fact!"
"It is so," said the individual named, who re-entered from the inner room
in season to hear the nature of the remark. "I found this native child
near thy gate, and took upon me the office of a Christian man to bid him
welcome. Certain am I, that one, kind of heart and gently disposed, like
the mistress of this family, will not turn him away in anger."
"He is no stranger at our fire, or at our board," said Ruth; "had it been
otherwise, thou wouldst have done well."
Eben Dudley looked incredulous. His mind had been powerfully exercised
that day with visions of the marvellous, and, of a certainty, there was
some reason to distrust the manner in which the re-appearance of the
youth had been made.
Pages:
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232