"Benny's safe. I've hidden him. I'll get him away from here,"
answered young Christy. "Go! Now's your time. Godspeed you!"
"I'm ready," declared Mr. Wells. "I--have--finished!"
"There goes Wingenund! He's running. Follow him, quick! Good-by!
Good-by! God be with you!" cried Heckewelder.
"Good-by! Good-by!"
Jim hurried Nell toward the bushes where Wingenund's tall form could
dimly be seen. Mr. Wells followed them. On the edge of the clearing
Jim and Nell turned to look back.
They saw a black mass of yelling, struggling, fighting savages
crowding around the church.
"Oh! Jim, look back! Look back!" cried Nell, holding hard to his
hand. "Look back! See if Girty is coming!"
Chapter XXVII.
At last the fugitives breathed free under the gold and red cover of
the woods. Never speaking, never looking back, the guide hurried
eastward with long strides. His followers were almost forced to run
in order to keep him in sight. He had waited at the edge of the
clearing for them, and, relieving Jim of the heavy pack, which he
swung slightly over his shoulder, he set a pace that was most
difficult to maintain. The young missionary half led, half carried
Nell over the stones and rough places. Mr. Wells labored in the
rear.
"Oh! Jim! Look back! Look back! See if we are pursued!" cried Nell
frequently, with many a earful glance into the dense thickets.
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