In this manner, escorted by the dam and cubs, the girl proceeded
nearly a mile, thrice the distance she had been able to achieve in
the darkness, during the same period of time. She then reached a
brook that had dug a channel for itself into the earth, and went
brawling into the lake, between steep and high banks, covered with
trees. Here Hetty performed her ablutions; then drinking of the
pure mountain water, she went her way, refreshed and lighter of
heart, still attended by her singular companions. Her course now
lay along a broad and nearly level terrace, which stretched from
the top of the bank that bounded the water, to a low acclivity
that rose to a second and irregular platform above. This was at a
part of the valley where the mountains ran obliquely, forming the
commencement of a plain that spread between the hills, southward
of the sheet of water. Hetty knew, by this circumstance, that
she was getting near to the encampment, and had she not, the bears
would have given her warning of the vicinity of human beings.
Snuffing the air, the dam refused to follow any further, though
the girl looked back and invited her to come by childish signs, and
even by direct appeals made in her own sweet voice.
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