She had gone but a short distance when she stopped with another shock of affright.
"My gracious! what can that be?"
A point of light appeared between her and the bridge, flickering about like an ignis-fatuus or jack-o'-lantern. Nellie felt like taking to the tree again, but she bravely stood her ground until she could satisfy her curiosity as to its nature.
Watching it closely she observed shadowy figures flitting around the light in a curious and grotesque way. She was in greater doubt than ever, when she heard voices.
"I think I saw her tracks, but I couldn't be sure; Nellie knows too much to walk or fall into the deep water."
"I hope so, but my heart misgives me sorely. God be merciful, for if she is lost I can never recover!"
The first speaker was Nick Ribsam, and the second was the father, the mother immediately adding:
"Why the poor child came here is more than I can understand, but He doeth all things well."
"Oh, mother! Oh, father! Oh, Nick! It is I, Nellie! I am so glad to see you!"
And the little wanderer flew like the wind along the bank of the creek. The mother was the first to recognize the voice, and rushing forward she caught her child in her arms, murmuring in her own language: