Page:Cornelia Meigs-The Pirate of Jasper Peak.djvu/139

 there was, at last, a little hope. Hugh took up his pail and went to finish his long interrupted  task of fetching water from the spring.

He came running up the path a few minutes later, spilling the water in wild splashes, and  burst in at the cottage door.

“Oscar,” he cried, “did you say that you were sure Jake was still away?”

“Yes,” answered Oscar, looking up from the fire; “he can’t be back yet.”

“But he is,” insisted Hugh excitedly. “I thought so, and now I know. Just this minute I saw three men walk across the clearing and  there is smoke coming from the chimney of the  cabin on Jasper Peak. Just come to the door and see.”