She could see David's tall
stooping figure, moving with long strides between the tents and the
wagons. She laid a wager with herself that he would do certain things
and brought her horse to a walk that she might come upon him
noiselessly and watch. Of course he did them, built up her fire and
kindled it, arranged her skillets beside it and had a fresh pail of
water standing close by. It only remained for him to turn as he heard
the sound of her horse's hoofs and run to help her dismount. This, for
some reason, he did not do and she was forced to attract his attention
by saying in a loud voice:
"There was nothing to be seen. Not a sign of a wagon from here to the
horizon."
He looked up from his cooking and said: "Oh, you're back, Susan," and
returned to the pan of buffalo tallow.
This was a strange remissness in the slave and she was piqued.
Contrary to precedent it was her father who helped her off. She slid
into his arms laughing, trying to kiss him as she slipped down, then
standing with her hands on his shoulders told him of her ride. She was
very pretty just then, her hair loose on her sunburned brow, her face
all love and smiles.
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