The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1903-12-06

since morning obviously lost in the SOM
Der track1ess forest, when an elfsh cry
rose. it would seem. from beneath the
very hoofs Of my horse.
God save the king
The bay SHE'D suddenly, standing with
nostrils a-auiver; and I had to look
closely to make out the little brown dot
of humanity clad in russell homespun,
crouching in the path. it's childish eyes
wide with fear and its lips parted to
shrill again: God save the kingl"
threw a stiff leg over the cantle and
stout challenger. 1 can never make you
understand. my dears. how the sight OF
this helpless waif appearin thus unac-
countably in the heart of the great for
est mellowed and softened me. Twas a
little maid. not above three or foU- years
old and with a face that Master Ra-
phael might have taken as a pattern for
one of his seraphs.
What know you Of the king. little
one?" 1 asked.
Gran dad told me-" she lisped IF 1
was to see a soldier-man l must say,
quick. God save the king. or 'haps he'd
eat me. Isis you hungry, Mister Sol
dier-man?'
Truly I am that sweetheart; but
don't eat little maids. Where is your
grandfather"
"Ain't got any gran'favver; said
gran'dad."
Well your gran'dad. then; can you
take me to him?''
II don't know 'Haps you'd eat him."
mo fear Of that, my dear. DO 1 look
as If 1 ate peopIe?"
She gave me long scrutiny out OF
the innocent eyes and then put up two
little brown hands to be taken. Il tired"
she said; and my sore heart went warm
within me when 1 took her in my arms
and cuddled her. After a long drawn
sigh Of contentment. she said: My
name Polly; what's yours?"
You may call me Jack. If you please
Captain Jack. If that comes the easier.
And now will you let me take you to
your gran dad?"
She nodded. and spoke to the bay and
mounted. still holding her closely In my
arms.
Tell me quickly which way to go,
Polly" I said; for besides being, as I
would fear, far out Of the way to Gilbert
Town, the last hilltop to the rear had
given me another sight OF my shadowing
pursuers riding hard as If they meant to
overtake me.
saddle horn and looked about her as II to
get her bearings.
That way" she said. pointing short to
the right; and wheeled the horse into a
blind path that wound in and out among
the trees for long half mile, to end at
a little clearing on the banks OF a small
stream.
In the midst Of the clearing was a
rude log cabin; and In the open Doorway
stood a man bent and aged, a patriarchaI
figure with white hair falling to his
shoulders and a snowy beard such as
Aaron might have worn. At sight Of me
the old watcher disappeared within the
house, but moment later he was out
again. lingering the lock OF an ancient
Queen s-arm.
1 drew rein quickly. and the little maid
sat up and saw the musket-
Don't shoot, granda she cried
Hes Captain Jack, and he doesn't eat
foIkses."
At this the old man came to meet US.
though still with the clumsy muslxet held
at the ready.
These be parlous times, sir" ne said
half in apology, L thought And then:
You have made friends with my little
maid, and owe you somewhat for
bringing her safe home"
Nay" said I; ''the debt IS mine. in
asmuch as 1 have the little one for my
friend. tbs long since I have held a
trusting child in my arms, I do assure
you. SIR"
He bowed as grandly as any courtier.
Il hope her trust Is not misplaced, sir;
though for the matter OF that we have
little enough now to take or leave
You have given 1t all to the King?'
said I, feeling my way as 1 had need to.