"I see it in the countenances of them that tarry," returned the other,
gazing furtively towards Mark who, posted in the little line, could with
difficulty brook a delay which threatened his father's house, and those
whom it held, with so much jeopardy.
"Forward!" cried the stranger. "Here is no leisure for dispute. Let the
maiden take wisdom, and hasten to the fort. Follow, men stout of heart! or
we come too late to the succor."
Martha waited until the party had advanced a few paces, and then, instead
of obeying the repeated mandate to consult her personal safety, she took
the direction of the armed band.
"I fear me that 'twill exceed our strength," observed the stranger, who
marched in front at the side of Content, "to make good the dwelling, at so
great distance from further aid."
"And yet the visitation will be heavy, that shall drive us for a second
time to the fields for a resting-place. In what manner didst get warning
of this inroad?"
"The savages believed themselves concealed in the cunning place, where
thou know'st that my eye had opportunity to overlook their artifices There
is a Providence in our least seeming calculations: an imprisonment of
weary years hath its reward in this warning!"
Content appeared to acquiesce, but the situation of affairs prevented the
discourse from becoming more minute.
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