He didn't want to tell this man anything.

He didn't want to have anything to do with him.

He hesitated, but he could not forget the third thing he had been asked to do, and who had asked him to do it.

Whatever happened, he must be loyal to her and her wishes, and so he said, with but little animation in his voice, "Major Bonnet's daughter did not go with him." Instantly came a great cry from the shore.

"Where is she?
Where is she?
Come closer to land and tell me everything!" This was too much! Dickory did not like the tone of the man on shore, who had no right to command him in that fashion.
"I have no time to stop now," said he; "I am carrying a message to Madam Bonnet." And so he paddled away, somewhat nearer the middle of the river.
Martin Newcombe was wild; he ran and he bounded on his way to the Bonnet house; he called and he shouted to Dickory, but apparently that young person was too far away to hear him.