Heaven to assist her.

Perched in the top of the tree, with the enormous bear sitting beneath
and looking hungrily upward, she prayed:

"Heavenly Father, please take care of me and don't let that big bear
catch me; don't let papa and mamma feel too bad, and please make the bad
bear go away and let me alone."




CHAPTER XI.

"GOTT SEI DANK!"


The prayer of little Nellie Ribsam--so far as it related to herself--was
answered.

She secured her seat, as best she could, in the branches of the chestnut
sapling, and, by arranging her dress and the yielding limbs with
considerable skill, she made herself quite comfortable.

The trying situation in which she was placed, it would be thought, was
enough to drive away all disposition to sleep, but at the end of less
than half an hour the little head was nodding again, and, forgetful of
her peril, her senses soon left her.

It will be understood that the danger of the young wanderer was rendered