He had descended nearly to the foot of the hill when the sound of footsteps reached his ears. His heart beat quick with apprehension, and he paused to listen. The step was soft and light; it was not a man's, and his courage rose. Pat, pat, pat, went the steps on the leafy ground, so gently that his fears were conquered; for the person could be only a child. Suddenly a piercing shriek saluted his ears. Something had occurred to alarm the owner of the fairy feet which made the soft pat, pat, on the ground. Another shriek, and Harry bounded down the road like an antelope, heedless of the remonstrances of his grumbling stomach. "Mercy! help!" shouted a voice, which Harry perceived was that of a little girl. In a moment more he discovered the young lady running with all her might towards him. "Save me!" gasped the girl. "What is the matter?" But Harry had scarcely asked the question before he saw what had alarmed her. Under other circumstances he would have quailed himself; for, as he spoke, a great black snake raised his head two or three feet from the ground directly in front of him. He was an ugly-looking monster, and evidently intended to attack him. All the chivalry of Harry's nature was called up to meet the emergency of the occasion. Seizing a little stick that lay in the path, he struck sundry vigorous blows at the reptile, which, however, seemed only to madden, without disabling him. Several times he elevated his head from the ground to strike at his assailant; but the little knight was an old hand with snakes, and vigorously repelled his assaults. At last, he struck a blow which laid out his snakeship; and the field was won, when Harry had smashed his head with a large rock. The reptile was about four feet and a half long, and as big round as a small boy's wrist. "There, miss, he won't hurt you now," said Harry, panting with his exertions. "Won't he? Are you sure he is dead?" "Very sure." The little girl ventured to approach the dead body of the snake, and satisfied herself that he could not harm her. "What an ugly snake! I was crossing the brook at the foot of the hill, when he sprang out from beneath my feet and chased me. I never was so frightened in all my life," said the little miss. "I don't wonder," replied Harry. "I am very much obliged to you. What is your name?" asked she, with childish simplicity. Harry did not like to answer that question, and made no reply. "Do you live in Rockville?" she continued. "No; I used to live in Redfield." "Where do you live now?" "I don't live anywhere." The little girl wanted to laugh then, it seemed such a funny answer. "Don't you? Who is your father?" "I have no father." "Who is your mother, then?" "I have no mother." "Poor boy! Then you are an orphan." "I suppose so. But, little girl, I don't want you to tell any one that you have seen me. You won't--will you?" "Not father and mother?" asked the maiden, with a stare of astonishment.