and Sue were not
lost any more, for they felt sure the hermit would take them home to
grandpa's house.

CHAPTER XVII

IN THE STORM

"Say, Mr. Hermit," said Bunny, as he and his sister Sue walked along
with the nice, but strange man, who lived in the log cabin in the woods,
"is it far to where grandpa's horses are, Mr. Hermit?"

"Well, little man, I'm not sure we can find your grandfather's horses,"
said the aged man with a smile at the two children. "All I know is that
I saw some Gypsies camped over in the valley. It may be that they are
the ones your grandfather is looking for. Would you know the horses if
you saw them?"

"I would!" exclaimed Sue. "One of 'em has an awful nice long tail."

The hermit laughed.

"I fear that wouldn't be a very good way of telling your grandfather's
horses from any others," said the old man. "Many horses have long
tails. But if there are some Gypsies camping in the valley you can tell
your folks, and your grandfather can come and see if they have his
horses."

"Is it very far?" asked Bunny again. He was not as tired as before he
had eaten the bread and milk, but still he did not want to walk any more
than he had to. Sue, also, looked weary.

"Oh, no, it isn't far," the hermit said. "It's only a little way to the
valley, but it is quite a long way to your grandfather's house. I don't
know whether you can walk it or not."

"I'm tired," said Sue. "I want to ride."

"I'm sorry I haven't anything to give you a ride on," returned the old
man. "I can carry you, though, little girl, if your brother can walk."

"I can walk!" said Bunny. His fat little legs were tired, but he was not
going to say so.

"All right. Then I'll carry your sister."

"Piggy-back?" Sue asked. "Will you give me a piggy-back? That's the way
my papa carries me."

"Yes, I'll take you pickaback," said the hermit, and he almost
whispered. Bunny, who was looking at him, was sure he saw tears in the
old man's eyes. Or was it a drop of rain? For there were clouds in the
sky now, and it seemed as if it was going to storm.

The old man looked around. He saw a flat stump not far away, and up on
this he lifted Sue.

"Now you can get up on my back from there," he said, "and I will carry
you so you won't be tired any more, little girl."

"That's good," murmured Sue, rather sleepily, as she cuddled her head
down on the hermit's shoulder. "You know how to make a nice piggy-back,"
she went on. "Did you ever