Truda was obviously in a state of panic and Beekman might have been infected therewith, but he shook himself together, deciding that action was the best remedy for the situation. He made a step toward the pile of stones. Truda clutched him more tenaciously than ever. She even threw her arms about him.
"Oh, don't go," she whispered. "It is taboo."
"Nonsense," answered Beekman, sinking his voice to meet hers, "there's nothing here to hurt us. Have I not told you of the power of my God?"
"Yes, yes, but He is far away in the sky; our God is here."
"Wherever He is He can protect me and you," he said as one may humor a child. He unclasped her arms and slipped his own arm about her waist, whereat she took some comfort. "Come, we shall see," he added.
He half led, half carried the girl toward the pile of stone until he stopped before it. The light from the moon came stronger. He saw the tall object, the top of which had been in the shadow now fully revealed.
"Why, it is a cross!" he exclaimed, under his breath, greatly surprised at this sacred emblem of religion.
"What is a cross?"
"The sign of my God. This is His house."
"Then your God and my God are the same," whispered the girl.