"
So they shouldered the guns, Rolf clung to his, and tramped
across the portage, reaching Callan's in less than two hours.
"Why, certainly you can have the canoe, but come in and eat
first," was the kindly backwoods greeting. However, Rolf was keen
to push on; they launched the canoe at once and speedily were
flashing their paddles on the lake.
The place looked sweetly familiar as they drew near. The crops in
the fields were fair; the crop of chickens at the barn was good;
and the crop of children about the door was excellent.
"Mein Hemel! mein Hemel! " shouted fat old Hendrik, as they
walked up to the stable door. In a minute he was wringing their
hands and smiling into great red, white, and blue smiles. "Coom
in, coom in, lad. Hi, Marta, here be Rolf and Quonab. Mein Hemel!
mein Hemel! what am I now so happy."
"Where's Annette?" asked Rolf.
"Ach, poor Annette, she fever have a little; not mooch, some,"
and he led over to a corner where on a low cot lay Annette, thin,
pale, and listless.
She smiled faintly, in response, when Rolf stooped and kissed her.
"Why, Annette, I came back to see you.
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