"Let them stay with the children that please," she said, "and them
follow me, who ar' not chicken-hearted!"
"Abiram, it will not do to leave the huts without some guard," Ishmael
whispered, glancing his eye upward.
The man whom he addressed started, and betrayed extraordinary
eagerness in his reply.
"I will tarry and watch the camp."
A dozen voices were instantly raised in objections to this proposal.
He was wanted to point out the places where the hostile tracks had
been seen, and his termagant sister openly scouted at the idea, as
unworthy of his manhood. The reluctant Abiram was compelled to yield,
and Ishmael made a new disposition for the defence of the place; which
was admitted, by every one, to be all-important to their security and
comfort.
He offered the post of commandant to Dr. Battius, who, however,
peremptorily and somewhat haughtily declined the doubtful honour;
exchanging looks of intelligence with Ellen, as he did so. In this
dilemma the squatter was obliged to constitute the girl herself
castellan; taking care, however, in deputing this important trust, to
omit no words of caution and instruction.
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