So Fidelia kissed her old friend again; and, going a short distance up the steep side of the mountain, she placed herself on a high rock near the ascending path, and sung with a voice both strong and clear:-- "How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!" till she came to the last line, which she repeated over and over:-- "I'll never--no, never--no, never forsake!" Before she had ended a hand was laid on hers, and she turned to see the moved face of Dr Justin. "Faithful," he said--"Faithful!" He was pale, and his lips trembled, and so did the hand that touched hers. "Oh, I'm so glad!" said Fidelia; and then she drew back a little, startled by his pale face, and added--"Were you afraid about us? Did you think we might be lost?" "Not afraid--there was no danger of your being lost very long," said Dr Justin, pulling himself together and trying to speak quietly. "You have not been afraid?" "No; and I think I could have found my way to the Peak; but Mrs Stone would not let us separate, and she grew very tired. So we sat down and waited, and I have been singing every now and then, hoping that some one might hear. Mrs Stone is a few steps below us." He took her hand to help her down from the rock, and held it firmly till they came to the place where Mrs Stone was waiting. She greeted him joyfully. "Well, there! I _am_ glad to see you, Dr Justin. Who would have thought that we two were not able to take care of ourselves?" "And I am afraid we have spoiled the pleasure of all the rest," said Fidelia. "Are they all scattered over the mountain looking for us? I am ashamed of myself." "No; only Jabez and I were despatched in search of you. And you have not been missed long. In going up the mountain the company got separated into different parties, and you were not missed till all came together at the top. Then Jabez and I undertook to find you." "And have you been searching long?" "No, not long--though it seemed long. Are you too tired to go up the Peak? Because if you are we can send Jabez up to say so." "Tired? No. But is there time? I should hate to have to go home and own that I had not been up the mountain after all," said Mrs Stone. "I do hate to be beat when I set out for anything." "There is plenty of time, and they will all be disappointed if you do not go. I must signal to Jabez first, however. He must be somewhere within sight or hearing, I should think." So he was, and came rushing down through bushes and over rocks and stones, at a headlong pace. "Well, I declare! I knew pretty likely somebody would get into a scrape in the course of the day. But I didn't think of its being either of you." "You were to make us your special care, you remember, Jabez," said Mrs Stone. "Yes, you promised Eunice," said Fidelia, laughing. "What became of you? Did you think about us at all?"