68 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

other time, dear Wassa, I shall be glad to go
with thee.”

“Thou canst not go until I do,” replied
Wassa, “for thou dost not know the way.
Thou wilt get lost, and the bears come out at
night, and they will eat thee up. So thou
see’st, thou mayst as well have the pleasure of
going up the hill.”

At these words Wassa began to ascend the
footpath made by the feet of the giants, her
brother and sisters closely following her. The
hunter’s little maid hesitated for a moment,
and then reluctantly joined the party.

Mona’s nature was a happy one, and when
she considered that the only course left her
was to keep with the rover’s children, she re-
solved to make the best of the matter; so
whenever the thought of home and her mother
came into her. mind, she put it resolutely
aside.

Up the hill roamed the children, stopping
occasionally to pick the blueberries that grew
in thick clusters on each side of the path, or to
peer into the numerous caves they passed, half
expecting to see some strange animal spring
out at them. When about half way up the