“Spotted Snake! Spotted Snake!” yelled the crowd, and spread out to keep the pursued from running back. The hump-backed little figure with poke-bonnet and cane was chased out upon the broken landing.
“She will go overboard!” shrieked Jessie, and drove in her paddle again to reach the wharf. Amy, who was in the bow sheered off, but brought the side of the canoe skillfully against the rough planks.
“What are they doing to you, child?” Amy cried.
“Goin’ to drown the witch! Goin’ to drown the witch!” shrieked the rabble in the rear. “Spotted Snake! Spotted Snake!”
“It’s little Henrietta!” screamed Jessie suddenly. “Oh, Amy!”
Amy, who was strong and quick, reached over the gunwale of the canoe and seized upon the crooked figure. She bore it inboard, knocking off the old bonnet to reveal Henrietta’s freckled little face. The cloak and the hump under it were likewise torn off and went sailing away on the current.
“For pity’s sake, Henrietta!” gasped Jessie.
“Yes’m,” said the child composedly. “Did you come to see me?”
“Not expecting to see you in this—this shape,” hesitated Jessie.
Amy went off into a gale of laughter. She could not speak for a minute. Jessie demanded: