140 LUCY AMONG THE MOUNTAINS.

is it not time for us to get to Robert’s clearing?
Robert, how much farther is it?” said she, turn-
ing round to speak to Robert.

Robert said it was not much farther; and Lucy,
who turned round, too, to hear his answer, observed
that.the light of the lantern flashed upon the trees
on each side of the road very beautifully.

“ How bright the light shines,” said Lucy,
“ now it is evening!”

“Yes,” said her mother, “and if the fire is as
bright in proportion, we shall have a splendid
illumination.”

*Q, there’s our old fire,” said Lucy.

She pointed to the spot where they had made
their fire in the morning. Jt had burned nearly
out. There was, however, one little flame coming
up from it. The party all gathered around it —
to see.

“Tt’s the old stump,” said Robert.

In fact, Robert had thrown upon the fire, when
he went away in the morning, a large, old stump,
half decayed, and this had been slowly burning
all the afternoon. It was now nearly burnt out;
but a piece of the root was blazing up a little.
Robert went up to it, and took hold of the part
which was not on fire, and then walked off with
the burning brand in his hand. He led the way