Читать книгу The Ark of 1803. A Story of Louisiana Purchase Times онлайн

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For awhile they trudged in silence. Mose’s ill-considered words were ringing in their ears. As they skirted the shipyard clearing they saw the men silhouetted against the burning heap of ruins. Jimmy gripped his rifle in a spasm of unreasoning hate. He wondered how little old Uncle Amasa could be among them; friendly, wise, harboring no resentment.

“Isn’t that Uncle Amasa, there by the maple tree?” asked Milly.

“Yes, that’s him,” said Jimmy. “’Twouldn’t be me, that’s certain.”

“It’s all a mistake,” said Milly. “You mustn’t think of what schoolboys say.”

“I guess they heard their elders say it. It wouldn’t have come popping into their heads alone.”

“You mustn’t mind,” she said.

“You don’t catch me minding,” said Jimmy, throwing his head back. “I’m not through with Fish Creek settlement yet.”

There was a long silence, broken only by their feet in the crusted snow. Milly thought pityingly of the thankless home that Maria Claiborne had made for Jimmy and his grandfather. She wished that Marion had not said so positively that he would not have Jimmy on the ark. She would talk to Marion to-morrow and try to win him over. Now that the Claiborne cargo was destroyed, he would be apt to reconsider.