“That’s splendid, Anne!” answered Rose. “Now step here beside me, and I’ll lift you up.”
CHAPTER VIII
THROUGH THE WINDOW
“Hold tight, Anne,” whispered Rose.
Anne had succeeded in squeezing through the narrow window space, and Rose, leaning out as far as possible, kept a firm grasp on the little girl’s hands.
“I’m going to let go now,” whispered Rose; “try to drop easily, Anne,” and in an instant Anne’s feet touched the soft earth.
Rose watched her jump up and a moment later vanish in the thick growth of trees. Then she hooked the window securely, and sat down again on the iron chest. Her arms and shoulders felt lame and sore from holding Anne, but after a moment she forgot the ache and her thoughts turned to her father, and to brave little Anne traveling off through the darkness of the summer’s night to bring help to her friends.
The house was so closely surrounded by woods that Anne had to move very carefully. The storm was over, but it was very dark in the shadow of the trees. For a few moments she wandered about, not quite knowing if she were moving in the right direction, but at last she found herself in the rough path up which Lady had made her way from the main road. Once or twice she stumbled and nearly fell over stumps of trees, but at last she reached the junction, and now the moonlight enabled her to see the white line of the sandy road stretching far ahead.