Page:Barbour--Metipoms Hostage.djvu/277

Rh us. So, if you have finished your repast, we will be going. I would never have known you, David, in this guise had I met you on  the trail. Does he not make a fine young brave, Obid? ”

“I grant you,” answered Obid sourly, eyeing the boy askance, “but I’d as lief he aped the Devil himself, master. I’ve seen enough of the ungodly cannibals without having one  in the family!”

Laughing, Nathan Lindall, an arm still about his son’s shoulders, thanked Mistress  Farwell and led the way outside. A few minutes later the company set forth. Four friendly Indians led the way. Of these one, as David noted with surprise, was his old  acquaintance, Joe Tanopet, still wearing his  green waistcoat. The Indians were unmounted. Behind them, in company with two younger officers, rode Major Willard, a  fine and martial figure on his white steed. Followed the company of dragoons, each man fully armed with musket and baldric. Some wore, besides, a hunting-knife thrust into a leather belt. In all the company numbered fifty-three. David had been supplied with a horse, a small, flea-bitten gray mare  with a dejected mien, and musket and am-