Danna was opening the package of food and made no response, but she was wondering if Rebby could really hold out until they reached the settlement. “I couldn’t leave her alone,” the little girl thought a little fearfully, wondering if their long journey was, after all, to end in failure. For she knew that if they did not reach Machias by the early evening their attempt to aid the settlement would have been in vain.
“Look, Rebby! White bread, spread with butter,” she said, as she unfastened the package, “and here are slices of chicken, and big squares of molasses cake,” and Rebby smiled at her little sister’s evident delight. The two girls thoroughly enjoyed the excellent food, and when the last crumb had been eaten Rebecca declared herself rested, and ready to start on.
As she picked up her moccasins she exclaimed: “Oh, Danna!” in so tragic a tone that her sister looked at her with frightened eyes.
“What is it, Rebby?” she whispered.
“A hole in my moccasin. Look!” and Rebby held up the moccasin, showing a long narrow slit on the sole. “These awful rocks! I can never walk without cutting my foot, and then I can’t walk at all.”
“I can fix it,” Danna declared instantly. “Give it to me, Rebby; quick!” and the elder sister obeyed.
Danna reached into the pocket of her doeskin skirt and drew out her sharp clasp-knife; very carefully she cut a broad strip from the top of Rebby’s moccasin, and skilfully fitted it inside over the sole.
“I saw Father do this very thing once,” she said. “It will surely last until we reach home.”
“I knew I could never make this trip without you, Danna,” Rebby said gratefully. “You are as wise as a real little Indian girl.”
They went on now at a slower pace, for both girls realized that if Rebby was again overcome by heat and fatigue that it might be impossible for her to continue. Even Danna owned to herself that she had never been so tired. The strap across her shoulders, supporting the heavy load, pressed heavily and at times became almost unbearable; but not for a moment did it occur to Danna to relinquish the burden.