"I just caught sight--of--it's a woman's
skirt!"
"Yes, and there is a woman in it," added Bess. "See, here she
comes."
"No, I don't think she does. I think she is standing still. We
must have frightened her."
"What a looking--woman!"
"Great proportions," described Cora. "I guess wherever she lives
they must feed her well."
Cora led the way, and Bess timidly followed.
"Don't go too near," whispered the latter.
"Why, she cannot eat us," replied Cora, smiling over her shoulder to
the timid one.
"Well, what do you want?" roared the woman, as soon as she could be
heard by the young ladies.
"We are looking for Jim Peter's shack," replied Cora bravely. "I
have been sent here to speak with him."
"Have, eh? Well go ahead. Speak with me. I'm Mrs. Jim Peters,"
said the woman with a sneer.
"My business is with him," again spoke Cora, not in the least
frightened by the voice which she knew was made coarser just to
scare her.
"Well, he don't have no business that ain't mine," said the woman,
"'specially with young 'uns like you, so you kin just clear off here
before I--"
"Come on Cora," begged Bess. "I am shaking from head to foot."
"All right, dear," replied Cora, in a voice for Bess alone. "But,
Mrs. Peters, can you tell me when your husband will be about here?
I have some work to do on a boat and I understand he does that sort
of thing.
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