Part 2 (2/2)
”That being so,” continued Kenton, ”what's the news you brought?”
”Haben't I jes' told yo'? I's bery well, 'cepting dat I's hungry, dough I can't make none ob de folks blebe it. Howsumeber, I guess dey blebes it, but dey don't keer.”
”Haven't you any other news for us?” asked Boone, looking sternly at Jethro, who did not note, or, noting perhaps, did not care for his displeasure.
”Nuffin else in 'tickler, 'cept dat de folks am also well.”
”That is some kind of news, though only what we expected. Nothing has happened to any of 'em?” inquired Kenton.
”Nuffin dat I reckomembers.”
”Where are they?”
”Don't you know?” asked Jethro, in turn, looking around in surprise that he should put the question, when he had parted with his friends only comparatively a short time before. ”Whar do you 'spose dey am, Mr.
Kenton?”
”I know where they ought to be,” said the ranger, gravely; ”they ought to be about a half a mile or so down the river, picking their way through the woods to this tree where we're setting; but I didn't know but what something had happened.”
”Didn't I just tole you dat nuffin didn't happen?”
”Are the folks coming up the river towards us?”
”Dey were settin' still on some rocks on the ground when I left.”
”What's that for?”
”I 'spose dey're tired; want to rest.”
Kenton looked significantly at Boone. Jethro's theory would not answer.
There was no member of the little party of pioneers, not even Agnes Altman, nor Mabel Ashbridge, only ten years of age, who would become so wearied by twice as long a tramp as to feel the need of rest.
”Did you come yourself, or were you sent ahead to see us?”
”I come myself, dat is, n.o.body fotched me on his back; but Mr. Hastings subgested dat I come, by saying if I didn't he would kick me.”
Weber Hastings was the st.u.r.dy member of the escort party who, in the absence of Boone, had charge of them.
Jethro Juggens began to display more sense in his words than he had yet shown. He became more serious in his manner.
”De way ob it was dis: One ob de men from de block-house had been scoutin' frough de woods, and he come back and tole Mr. Hastings what he seed----”
”What was it?” interrupted Kenton.
”Being as he didn't tole me, yo'll hab to obscoose me from answerin' dat question, but I was invited to go on ahead and to tell yo' folks dat Mr.
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