Page:Tales of the White Hills.djvu/39

Rh child that held out its arms to him. One glance and smile placed the stranger on a footing of innocent familiarity with the eldest daughter.

&ldquo;Ah, this fire is the right thing!&rdquo; cried he; &ldquo;especially when there is such a pleasant circle round it. I am quite benumbed; for the Notch is just like the pipe of a great pair of bellows; it has blown a terrible blast in my face all the way from Bartlett.&rdquo;

&ldquo;Then you are going towards Vermont?&rdquo; said the master of the house, as he helped to take a light knapsack off the young man's shoulders.

&ldquo;Yes; to Burlington, and far enough beyond,&rdquo; replied he. &ldquo;I meant to have been at Ethan Crawford&rsquo;s to-night; but a pedestrian lingers along such a road as this. It is no matter; for, when I saw this good fire, and all your cheerful faces, I felt as if you had kindled it on purpose for me, and were waiting my arrival. So I shall sit down among you, and make myself at home.&rdquo;

The frank-hearted stranger had just drawn his chair to the fire when something like a heavy footstep was heard without, rushing down the steep side of the mountain, as with long and rapid strides, and taking such a leap in passing the cottage as to strike the opposite precipice. The family held their breath, because they knew the sound, and their guest held his by instinct.

&ldquo;The old mountain has thrown a stone at us, for fear we should forget him,&rdquo; said the landlord, recovering himself. &ldquo;He sometimes nods his head and threatens to come down; but we are old neighbors, and agree together pretty well upon the whole. Besides we have a sure place of refuge hard by if he should be coming in good earnest.&rdquo;