'
'Then we shall set the house on fire, and burn witch and all.'
'It will go hard with us but we shall kill a few dozen of you
first,' cried Curdie. 'We're not the least afraid of you.' With
that Curdie turned to Derba, and said:
'Don't be frightened. I have a strong feeling that all will be
well. Surely no trouble will come to you for being good to
strangers.'
'But the poor dog!' said Derba.
Now Curdie and Lina understood each other more than a little by
this time, and not only had he seen that she understood the
proclamation, but when she looked up at him after it was read, it
was with such a grin, and such a yellow flash, that he saw also she
was determined to take care of herself.
'The dog will probably give you reason to think a little more of
her ere long,' he answered. 'But now,' he went on, 'I fear I must
hurt your house a little. I have great confidence, however, that
I shall be able to make up to you for it one day.'
'Never mind the house, if only you can get safe off,' she answered.
'I don't think they will hurt this precious lamb,' she added,
clasping little Barbara to her bosom. 'For myself, it is all one;
I am ready for anything.'
'it is but a little hole for Lina I want to make,' said Curdie.
'She can creep through a much smaller one than you would think.'
Again he took his mattock, and went to the back wall.
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