you.”
The woman shook her head stubbornly. “My
foot feels better now. I can walk by myself.”
She started off, but nearly collapsed by the
time she had taken three steps.
“If you won’t let me go for help, then at least
let me take you home.”
Again the woman protested, but Nancy took
hold of her arm and placed it over her own
shoulder. With Nancy’s support, the woman
made slow and painful progress up the path.
“This is killing you,” Nancy said, dismayed
that the woman was so foolishly stubborn. “I
can get our hired man to carry you-”
“No!” the woman objected vehemently.
Her unwillingness to accept help puzzled
Nancy. As they made their way slowly along, she
became aware that her companion’s distress was
not entirely due to pain, but partially to Nancy’s
own presence. This mystified Nancy, but she
could not turn back as long as she knew the
woman really needed her.
“I don’t remember seeing any houses along the
river,” Nancy said after a time. “You’re not a
member of the nature cult, are you?”
A half-cynical expression crossed the woman’s
face, then one of sadness. “Yes,” she returned
quietly, “I’m one of the members.”
Nancy took time to scrutinize her companion
more carefully than before. She wore a blue
gingham dress which was plain and durable, and
certainly did not appear to be a costume. The
woman did not speak or act as Nancy imagined a
member of the cult would. She seemed like any
other person.
“It must be healthful to live an outdoor life,”
Nancy remarked, feeling that some comment was
necessary. “I’ve often looked over at your tents
and thought I should like to visit the colony
some time.”
The woman stopped abruptly in the path and
faced Nancy, an odd look on her face.
“You must never come near!”
“Why not?”
“It wouldn’t be safe!”
“Not safe!” Nancy echoed in astonishment. “I
don’t understand.”
“I-I mean the members of the cult don’t
want folks prying around,” the woman said
hastily.
“I see. The rites are secret?”
“That’s it,” the woman said in obvious relief.
“But why couldn’t I visit the colony sometime
when ceremonies aren’t being held?” Nancy
persisted.
“You mustn’t come near the hillside-ever!”
the stranger warned.
The two continued up the path. To Nancy it
was apparent that her questions had disturbed
the woman, for several times she caught her
looking distressed and worried.
As they approached the hillside colony, and
before they were within sight of the tents, the
woman stopped short.
“Thank you for your help,” she said quietly.
“I can make it alone from here.”
Nancy hesitated. The woman’s firm tone told
her it would do no good to protest. She was
not going to let Nancy come any nearer the
camp I
“At least let me find something that you can
use as a cane,” Nancy said.
She searched along the path and found a
branch that was strong enough. The woman ac-
cepted it gratefully. Her face softened and she
stood for an instant, looking intently at Nancy.
“You’re a good girl to help a stranger like me.
I wish-” The woman turned away abruptly.
“Remember,” she advised sternly over her
shoulder, “don’t ever come near the camp!”
Still perplexed. Nancy watched the woman
hobble away. It took her a long time to reach the
top of the hill, but at last she disappeared from
sight.
“I can’t understand why the poor thing acted
the way she did,” Nancy said to herself as she sat
down on a log to think. “What harm could it have
done if I’d gone with her to the colony? The cult
must have some very important secrets!”
The more Nancy considered the matter, the
more baffled she became.
“The woman didn’t look as though being a
member of the Black Snake Colony made her
very happy,” Nancy thought. “If they’re so afraid
that someone will discover their secrets, they
must be doing more than just flitting at night in
white robes! Maybe that’s only to keep people
from guessing what really goes on there!”
As Nancy reached this startling conclusion, she
jumped up and walked briskly toward Red Gate