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Chapter 25
Nowtakeherinyourarms,andfollow.Leavetheresttome."
Duncan,asmaybegatheredfromthewordsofhiscompanion,waseagerlyobeying;andastheotherfinishedspeaking,hetookthelightpersonofAliceinhisarms,andfollowedonthefootstepsofthescout.Theyfoundthesickwomanastheyhadlefther,stillalone,andpassedswiftlyon,bythenaturalgallery,totheplaceofentrance.Astheyapproachedthelittledoorofbark,amurmurofvoiceswithoutannouncedthatthefriendsandrelativesoftheinvalidweregatheredabouttheplace,patientlyawaitingasummonstore-enter.
"IfIopenmylipstospeak,"Hawkeyewhispered,"myEnglish,whichisthegenuinetongueofawhite-skin,willtellthevarletsthatanenemyisamongthem.Youmustgive’emyourjargon,major;andsaythatwehaveshuttheevilspiritinthecave,andaretakingthewomantothewoodsinordertofindstrengtheningroots.Practyseallyourcunning,foritisalawfulundertaking."
Thedooropenedalittle,asifonewithoutwaslisteningtotheproceedingswithin,andcompelledthescouttoceasehisdirections.Afiercegrowlrepelledtheeavesdropper,andthenthescoutboldlythrewopenthecoveringofbark,andlefttheplace,enactingthecharacterofthebearasheproceeded.Duncankeptcloseathisheels,andsofoundhimselfinthecentreofaclusteroftwentyanxiousrelativesandfriends.
Thecrowdfellbackalittle,andpermittedthefather,andonewhoappearedtobethehusbandofthewoman,toapproach.
