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Show Page 85 I pushed myself away from the man and peered into his face. "My apologies, mistress," he continued. "I must look a fearsome sight to a young lady not used to the ways of native Virginia." Suddenly, knowing no harm was to come to me, my knees went watery and I sank down upon a rotted log behind me. Within moments anger replaced my relief. "How dare you cause me such a fright?" I shrieked, hating the sound of my voice even as I did so. "I am sorry," John repeated, reaching out a hand to me. "And if you don't want an infestation of red worms, methinks you had best arise from that log." I leaped to my feet, ignoring his outstretched hand. "And what is that--that wretched stuff you wear upon your skip?" I asked. "It is an Indian ointment used to keep off the long-tailed biting gnats," he explained. "You would be well-advised to wear it yourself lest all your blood be sucked dry by the vexatious creatures." He waved his arm at the cloud of muskeets swarming about my head. "I would not wear it e'en though the vile creatures carry me away," I snapped, "for I have no wish to smell like a dead thing." I sniffed slightly. |