"
Walter made no reply; a sensation of utter loneliness such as he never
before experienced had come over him, and he would have been better
pleased to know James Albert was seeking an opportunity to arrest him,
providing that by such a change in the situation of affairs Sewatis had
remained.
It was useless to give words to his troubles, however, and he did his best
to appear contented, lest Stephen should carry to his mother the report
that her son had lost courage.
Walter prepared the morning meal; Stephen did full justice to it, and then
made ready to take his departure.
"I will come again within a week or ten days. What shall I bring?"
"Powder, if you can buy it for me on credit."
"I fancy Master McCleary will provide you with plenty."
"Say to my mother that I suffer for nothing save the opportunity to see
her. She knows full well what other words I would speak if she were here."
With a hearty clasp of the hands the two friends I separated, Stephen to
make his way through the forest ten miles or more, and Walter to resume
the labour which might prove useless.
The would-be miller found it very difficult to continue at his task during
that day. More than once he almost decided to remain idle until word
should come that he was at liberty to return home; but then he remembered
the goal he had set for himself, and laboured more industriously than
before.
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