f those windows. Nine chances to one
they ain't all locked, and if there's one open you and I can crawl
into it. I wish we could boost the horse in, too, poor thing, but
self-preservation is the first law of nature and if he's liable to
perish it's no reason we should. I'm goin' to get into that house if
such a thing's possible."

"But, Auntie--"

"Don't say another word. I'm responsible for your bein' here this night,
Emily Howes. You wouldn't have come if I hadn't coaxed you into it. And
you shan't die of pneumonia or--or drownin' if I can help it. I'm goin'
to have a look at those doors and windows. Don't be scared. I'll be
back in a jiffy. Goodness me, what a puddle! Well, if you hear me holler
you'll know I'm goin' under for the third time, so come quick. Here
goes!"

Lantern in hand, she splashed out into the wet, windy darkness.

CHAPTER II

Miss Howes, left to share with General Jackson the "sociability" of the
shed, watched that lantern with faint hope and strong anxiety. She
saw it bobbing like a gigantic firefly about the walls of the house,
stopping here and there and then hurrying on. Soon it passed around the
further corner and disappeared altogether. The wind howled, the rain
poured, General Jackson stamped and splashed, and Emily shivered.

At last, just as the watcher had begun to think some serious accident
had happened to her courageous relative and was considering starting on
a relief expedition, the lantern reappeared.

"Emily!" screamed Mrs. Barnes. "Emily! Come here!"

Emily came, fighting her way against the wind. She found her cousin
standing by the corner of the house.

"I've got it," cried Aunt Thankful, panting but triumphant. "I've
got it. One of the windows on the other side is unfastened, just as I
suspicioned it might be. I think one of us can get in if t'other helps."

She seized the arm of her fellow castaway and together they turned the
corner, struggled on for a short distance and then stopped.

"This is the window," gasped the widow. "Here, right abreast of us.
See!"

She held up the lantern. The window was "abreast" of them, but also it
was a trifle high.

"It ain't fastened," shouted Thankful; she was obliged to shout in order
to be heard. "I could push it open a little mite from the bottom, but
I couldn't reach to get it up all the way. You can if I steady you, I
guess. Here! Put your foot on that box. I lugged it around from the back
yard on purpose."