pressed heavily and at times became almost unbearable; but not for a
moment did it occur to Danna to relinquish the burden.

They had left the rocky stretch behind them and come out to a
comparatively smooth pasture. The deep forest lay on their right; to the
left was the sloping bank leading to the river. Suddenly Anna stopped
short and grasped Rebby's arm; a second later a deer leaped directly
across their path and plunged down the bank, followed by a leaping,
panting creature that hardly seemed to touch the ground.

"A bear!" whispered Rebby with frightened eyes.

"Hurry, Rebby," responded Danna, and the girls, forgetting their tired
feet and lame shoulders, sped silently over the open pasture land.

Danna was the first to speak, but it was in a whisper: "We need not
fear, Rebby. He was after the deer."

Rebby made no response. More fully than ever the elder girl realized the
peril into which she had led her younger sister. But nevertheless she
whispered to herself that it was the only way: the powder and shot were
all that could save the settlement from the hands of the enemy.

The girls did not stop again to rest, nor did they speak until they
reached the top of a rise of ground from which they could see the first
houses of the settlement. The sun was dropping behind the tall pines on
the western side of the river, and they could see the _Polly_ and
_Unity_ as they lay at anchor in the harbor.

"We are safe now, Danna," said Rebby thankfully, and the sisters smiled
at each other happily.

"Can't we leave the powder and shot here?" pleaded Danna, twisting the
uncomfortable strap into an easier position. "Father would come and get
it, and it's so heavy."

But Rebby shook her head. "It would not be safe. We must carry it
straight home," she said; so, with a sigh of endurance, Danna started
on.

They were now in the broad trail that led straight to the little
settlement, and before they reached the first house they saw a tall
figure striding toward them. It was Mr. Weston, and in a moment their
load of powder and shot was swung over his shoulders, Rebby was clasping
one hand and Anna the other, and they were both talking at once, trying
to tell him the story of their journey.

Their mother came running down the path to meet them, and clasped them
in her thankful embrace. The Westons had not told their neighbors of the
girls' undertaking, thinking it wiser to await their return; but as soon
as Rebby and An