He recognized the speaker's tones, and knew Stephen Kidder had come to pay
a visit, or bring the cheering news that he might return.
"Am I to go back to town?" he cried, as he came into the cleared space
wherein the camp had been built; and then, seeing Sewatis standing in a
threatening attitude in front of the shanty, he added, "This is a friend
of mine; make him welcome."
The Indian obeyed by moving quickly out of sight among the foliage, and he
had hardly disappeared when the two clasped each other's hands in a
caressing way, as Stephen said,-
"I wish I had come to bid you go home; but Master McCleary says you must
have patience yet a little longer. Haines still threatens to have you
arrested, and the Sons of Liberty are more obnoxious than ever in the eyes
of those who pay homage to the king."
"Would Governor Wentworth, who has so often spoken in a friendly tone to
me, allow an act of injustice such as my arrest would be, for I simply
sought to escape from him who held me unlawfully? "
"The members of the Council are not in accord with the new ideas, and
Master McCleary believes they might allow Haines, who has no slight
influence among them, to do as he desires."
"Let it be so, then. When did you see my mother last?"
"Yesterday."
"And she is well? "
"Well, and contented that you should be here.
Pages:
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62