Page:Mistress Madcap (1937).pdf/67

 "Hessians," he announced. "Signal fires—mountaintainmountain [sic] top—me hurt!

"You go?"

Mehitable, who had been on her knees before him, about to lift the basin of warm water she had been using, set it down again and sank back upon her knees to stare at him open-mouthed. It was as amazing as though the brass warming pan, hanging innocently upon its hook beside the fireplace, had spoken.

The younger girl crept to her sister.

"What does he mean?" she whispered.

"Signal fire!" repeated the Indian impatiently, in his guttural voice.

"You mean those great heaps of branches and leaves on top of the First Mountain?" asked Mehitable slowly. "You mind the ones Father told us Parson Chapman had arranged for signals across Pleasant Valley to the Second Mountain, Charity?" turning to her sister.

The Indian nodded.

"Are you with General Washington's army?" asked Mehitable shrewdly. "How can I tell whether you are truthful or not?"

With a quick gesture, the Indian now held out an object that glittered and sparkled in his hand. Mehitable took it from him with a little cry.

"John's silver shoe buckle, Charity!"

The two girls bent over the shining thing with bated breath. It was as though their brother had spoken to them from far away! Then Mehitable raised her head to gaze searchingly at the strange visitor.