human
Oh, it's you! exclaimed its small rider in a relieved tone, as he slipped to the ground and stood in the path beside the girl.
gpt
I was mighty scared it might be somebody else.
human
Ned! she exclaimed under her breath.
gpt
Why are you here? Where are the boys?
human
The old man's got 'em locked up in the granary, he announced. Then seeing the look of alarm that flashed into her face, added assuringly:
gpt
But that's all right, _I'm_ here! They told me to tell you they'd get out somehow 'fore mornin'. I cached their horses in the brush for 'em, and they're diggin' themselves out underneath the barn. Here, he said, handing something to her.
human
I got your rifle out o' your room an' hid it under the house soon's ever you left, an' all these cartridges. I just knew the old man 'ud go an' look fer it.
gpt
Oh! exclaimed the girl, suddenly gathering child, gun, and all into her arms.
human
What a little _man_ you are.
gpt
Yep, said the boy, disengaging himself;
human
And you're _sure_ about this, questioned Hope, after the boy had told a story so complete in detail as to fairly unnerve her.
gpt
You're _perfectly_ sure that these men are going to meet at the shed--the big shed close to Fritz's grave, there below the ledge of rocks?
human
Sure's anything, replied the boy convincingly.
gpt
There'll be seven er eight from our place, some from Old Peter's an' some from up the creek.
human
What _shall_ we do! What _shall_ we do!
gpt
Why, _fight 'em_, of course! exclaimed the boy.
human
Dave an' Dan'll get out by then, an' we'll all lay up there behind them rocks an' just pepper 'em! There's 'bout a million peek-holes in that wall o' rocks, an' they can't never hit us. Pooh, I ain't afraid o' twenty men! We'll make 'em think all the soldiers from the post is behind there!
gpt
The soldiers! exclaimed the girl, filled suddenly with a new life,
human
You must think me rude, apologized Hope, entering the tent as quickly as she had left it, and seating herself directly beside Livingston.
gpt
I surely didn't intend to be gone so long.
human
So _long_! exclaimed Mrs. Van Rensselaer.
gpt
Why, I hadn't missed you! Where in the world have you been?
human
Oh, _now_ I'll not tell you!
gpt
But you were missed, said Livingston.
human
You've been gone just ten minutes.
gpt
Did the moonlight transform you?