"How do I know that you did not steal this?" she asked sternly.
The Indian's eyes met hers unflinchingly.
"No!" he said. And in his voice rang the truth.
"I believe him, Hitty," said Charity suddenly, as the older girl still hesitated. "I am quite sure that the time has come when we must do as John wished, as we promised, for this is surely the sign that he must have our help. The buckle has come back to us, as we agreed!"
"But how can we reach the mountain top through this snow?" Mehitable now got slowly to her feet to carry away the basin. "'Tis growing dark," she went on worriedly. "And 'tis too late to get Young Cy to help us!"
The Indian's eyes watched her anxiously as she paced up and down the kitchen in unconscious imitation of her father.
"Go away down to the meeting house and back for Young Cy!" It was now Charity who had suddenly assumed the lead.
"No good—too late!" The Indian shook his head.
"He is right! We must be the ones to go!" As she spoke, the little sister caught up her cape, and fifteen minutes later found the two girls well upon their way.
It was settling into early dusk, as Mehitable had said, with the still cold of deep snow cutting into their cheeks and biting their nostrils until they felt as though they were breathing pepper! It was almost impossible walking, too, for the drifts were very deep, and once off
