Mountain Top Mystery Read Online Free

all right to knock on the door?”
    “I should think so,” said Henry. “What else can we do? We want to go in and meet him, don’t we? The ranger said he was perfectly harmless.”
    Soon they saw a small gray house with a large vegetable garden. A stone step was at the front door. Benny knocked.
    There was a soft sound of feet and the door opened. There stood a very tall Indian woman who held her head like a queen.
    For once Benny did not know what to say. Mr. Alden stepped forward quickly and said, “I hope we are not bothering you. My grandchildren saw your light from Old Flat Top. They were afraid you were in trouble.”
    The old Indian woman bowed her head a little, opened the door wide, and said, “Please come in.”

CHAPTER 4
    Lovan’s Story
    T he family was so surprised to find an Indian woman instead of a man that no one said anything.
    The room they looked into had two chairs and a couch. On a table lay an Indian basket that was not yet finished. Bunches of sweet grass were hung up to dry. The room was sweet with the smell of the grass.
    “Sit down,” said the Indian woman. She took the rocking chair, and Mr. Alden sat in the other chair. Mr. Carter sat on the couch and the others sat on the floor.
    Still no one had said a word. Then Benny, who was nearest the Indian woman, spoke. He said, “That man is my grandfather, James Alden. John Carter is sitting on the couch. I am Benny and there is my brother Henry and my sisters, Jessie and Violet.”
    The old woman said, “My name is Lovan Dixon. I am almost ninety years old.”
    “Well!” exclaimed Benny.
    Jessie said, “We were on Flat Top all night and saw your light. We were worried thinking somebody might be in trouble.”
    “You are very kind,” said the woman. “Why were you on Flat Top? Did you have an accident?”
    “Yes, I did,” said Benny. “When I was coming down, the first step broke away. But I don’t think about that any more. Grandfather said there was no use in it.”
    The Indian woman turned to Mr. Alden. “He was right,” she said. “I heard all the rocks coming down like thunder. I was worried about you. I saw your fire all night.”
    Violet looked at the old Indian and asked, “Is anything wrong?”
    “Not now,” said the woman.
    Then Benny cried, “Do you really want to live all alone here?”
    “Yes, child,” said Lovan Dixon. “I do want to. I do not like living in a town. Too many people laugh at Indian ways. I like to live alone.”
    Violet and Jessie looked around at the house. It was neat and clean. The old woman’s gray hair was as smooth as silk. Her strong old face was deeply wrinkled.
    Benny shouted, “Those people were mean. I’d like to tell them so.”
    “You are a kind boy. There is no need to bother with anyone. I like it here. I love the woods. I am the last of my people. My tribe always lived here and the government gave these woods to my tribe long ago. The woods go to the other side of Flat Top.”
    Now Grandfather spoke, “But I have a feeling that something is bothering you. Won’t you tell us?”
    The old woman did not speak for a time and it was very quiet in her little house. Then she said, “I hear that the woods will be cut over for lumber and I will lose my land.”
    Nodding, John Carter said, “It could be true, Miss Dixon. Many times, I am sorry to say, our government has forgotten its promises to the Indians.”
    Mr. Alden said, “From this minute on do not worry any more. I know a man who will find out who owns this land. He will buy it himself if he has to. You may use it as long as you live, Miss Dixon.”
    “Please say ‘Lovan,’” said the Indian woman with a bow.
    “Lovan,” said Benny at once because he liked the sound of the name. “When that step gave way on Old Flat Top, I thought I saw a big hole behind it. Do you think that was really true?”
    Lovan folded her arms and sat for a long time with bowed head. There was not a sound. After awhile she drew a long