Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1910-03-01
CHAPTER XIII.


Skipping lightly over the happenings
of the two days following my departure
from Charlotte on the kings errand, i
may say that after passing the British
outposts at the crossing of the Cataw-
ba. l met neither friend nor foe |
knew no more than blind man the
route 1 should take; knew no more of
the whereabouts of Gilbert Town and
Major Fergusons rendezvous than that
both were some eighty miles to the
westws I'd
l was constrained to gallop on with
out pause; and throughout a comfort
less afternoon and the scarce less mis-
cradle day which followed, there were
no Incidents to break the dull monoto-
ny OF the blind race save these two;
that once the clouds lifted enough to
give me glimpse of my pursuers In a
far reach TO the eastward; and once
again ! had sight of an awkward
horseman in the road before me-
Twas close on eventide of the sec
ond day, and l had Lren since morn
Ing obviously lost in the somber track
less forest, when an elfish cry rose, as
1t would seem. from beneath the very
hoofs of my horse
God save the king!"
The bay SHE'D suddenly standing
with nostrils a-quiver; and I had to
look closely to make out the little
brown dot of humanity clad in russell
homespun crouching in the path. its
childish eyes wide with fear.
l threw a stiff leg over the cantle
and 70
my stout challenger. can never make
you understand, my dears. how the
sight OF this helpless wait appearing
thus unaccountably in the heart of the
great forest mellowed and softened mo.
Twas little maid, not above 3 or 4
years old.
What know you of the king, little
one?' I asked
"Gran'dad told me-" she lipsed IF
was to see a soldier-ma 1 must saw.
quick, God save the king or 'haps he'd
eat me. Isis you hungry, Mister Sol
dier-m mani"
Truly | am that. little sweetheart:
but l don't ca little maids"
She gave ne 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 took her
In my arms and cuddled her. After a
long drawn sigh of contentment she
said: NY name Polly: what's yours ?"
You may cali me Jack. II you please
Captain Jack, If that comes the cas-
Ter. And now will you let me take Won
to your gran'dad?"
Tell me quickly which way to 90
Polly" l said; for besides being. as 1
would fear. far out of the way TO GIL
bert Town. the last hilltop to the rear
had given be another sight or ny shad-
owing pursuers riding hard as If they
meant TO overtake me.
THAT way" she said. pointing short
to the right: and wheeled the horse
out among the trees for a long half
banks of small stream.
In the midst of the clearing was a
rude log cabin: and in the open door
way stood man bent and aged. a pa
triarchal figure with white hair falling
to his shoulders and snowy beard
such as Aaron might have worn. At
sight OF me the old watcher disappear
ed within the house. but q 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. gran'dad," she cried.
~He's Csppy Jack. and he doesn't eat
folkses."
At this the old man came to meet us.
though still with the clumsy musket
held at the ready,
These be parlous times. STR" he said
ssYou have made friends with my little
maid. and l owe you somewhat for
bringing her safe home"
Nay said 1: the deb. is mine. in
esmuch as 1 have the little one for my
friend. 'Tis long since I have held a
trusting child in my arms. do assure
you. sir"
He bowed as grandly as any courtier
II 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 it all to the kingf
said I. feeling my way as I had need
TO.
The king has taken all. sir, as you
see" this with a wave OF the hand "a
point me to the forlorn homestead
There is naught left me save this poor
hut and my little maid"
Taken you SAL? Then you are not
eS the kings sids7"