from the road they would have floundered to their waists. They had chosen the wood path, which was shorter and apt to be more protected from the snowfall.
As they neared the Briggs's farm, which they had to skirt, Mehitable suddenly spoke.
"Charity, think you we are nearing that old cistern behind the Briggs house?"
"Oh, Hitty!" Charity stopped short to look around her fearfully. "We are in the pasture north of their house, where Grandfather Briggs's house once stood, and that is where the cistern is. However did we get off from the path!"
"The snow is so deep," said Mehitable, stopping, too, to gaze around her with troubled eyes. "I am sure it is just about here! And the last time we passed throught the pasture, I remember—'twas last Fall—the hole was uncovered, Miranda was vexed and said how her father begrudged both the time and the wood to cover it. He said that any one trespassing deserved to fall down into it!"
"How could he be so mean!" Charity spoke with unusual bitterness; but she was thoroughly frightened at their plight.
"Well, 'tis no use to stand here. We must go on, Charity! The only way to get out of the pasture and on to the path again is to walk out!"
So saying, Mehitable started forward in her usual impetuous way and was laughing triumphantly as she neared the edge of the snow-covered field when a strangled cry sounded behind her and she turned around to see two upflung arms disappearing through
