"You say, 'appear to have shifted themselves,'" said McArthur. "I shall
still keep on the defensive. I wouldn't trust a Redskin for a good
deal."
"True enough," was the answer. "McArthur, whom could you send to the
village for need at a critical time?"
"I doubt if I could spare a man. Every hand would be wanted, every rifle
needed, for I know not in what numbers the Redskins might come."
[Sidenote: "I could go!"]
"I could ride to the village," announced Rosalind calmly. "Golightly and
I would cover the ground in no time."
"You, my darling!" Mrs. McArthur ejaculated in horror.
McArthur waved his daughter's words aside.
"You do not know, my child, what danger you would court."
"Of course, Miss McArthur is out of the question," said the young man,
and smiled as Rosalind darted an indignant glance at him.
"At any rate, I am at your service if you need me," he continued. "I
trust I may not be called out for such a purpose, but if I am, I and my
rifle are at your disposal."
"Thanks, Robertson, you are a good fellow," returned McArthur heartily,
grasping the young man's hand.
In a few minutes he rose to go. Rosalind accompanied him to the house
door.
"Mr. Robertson," she said abruptly, as soon as they were out of hearing,
"which would be the shortest cut to the village? By the woods or by the
river?" He looked keenly at her.
"You meant what you said just now?"
"Of course I meant it.
Pages:
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89