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Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946

"Rolf in the Woods"

I want to take you over to
Warren's store, so you can pick out that dress. See, I brought
you my first marten and I made this box for you; you must thank
Skookum for the quills on it."
"Poor chile; she bin sick all spring," and Marta used a bunch of
sedge to drive away the flies and mosquitoes that, bass and
treble, hovered around the child.
"What ails her?" asked Rolf anxiously.
"Dot ve do not know," was the reply.
"Maybe there's some one here can tell," and Roll glanced at the Indian.
"Ach, sure! Have I you that not always told all-vays -- eet is so.
All-vays, I want sumpin bad mooch. I prays de good Lord and all-vays,
all-vays, two times now, He it send by next boat. Ach, how I am spoil,"
and the good Dutchman's eyes filled with tears of thankfulness.
Quonab knelt by the sufferer. He felt her hot, dry hand; he
noticed her short, quick breathing, her bright eyes, and the
untouched bowl of mush by her bed.
"Swamp fever," he said. "I bring good medicine." He passed
quietly out into the woods. When he returned, he carried a bundle
of snake-root which he made into tea.
Annette did not wish to touch it, but her mother persuaded her to
take a few sips from a cup held by Rolf.


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