Part 29 (2/2)

'I travelled out to Burmah at once, hoping against hope. But all had perished. A sentry near the jungle alone was living, sorely wounded.

When questioned, he was delirious, but just before he died he had quieted, and said that Pahna, the Karen woman, had got away into the jungle, but her arm was wounded, and as she went he heard the wailing of a child, and a dog with burning hair had rushed out from one of the huts after her. No one could say if it was truth or delirium, but every inquiry was made. No such woman had been heard of, nor had she returned to any of the Karen encampments, so if she had got away she must have died in the jungle, they said. The body of an infant had been seen among the dead at the fort and buried with the others, so that the sentry's tale seemed but a myth.

'Many months later, a letter, delayed some while, reached me from my boy. It had been written the day after the child's birth apparently. I have it here. After some private matter he says: ”Our little son is a fine fellow, very dark, and his thick black hair has the 'Sarreco streak' very visible, which Inez is absurdly delighted at. The English nurse has jungle fever, and is kept away, but Pahna, the Karen woman, is a splendid subst.i.tute: she is the wife of my faithful native servant.

Pahna is devoted to 'Bebe Ingalay.' Her English is curious; Inez she usually called 'Missee Sahib,' but now she has got to 'Missee Mahkloo,'

'Thakin Mahkloo' meaning me--her nearest rendering of McLeod.” You start, Captain Ferrers?'

'Yes; I will say why presently--please go on,' said Captain Ferrers. 'I cannot say how interested I am.'

'The letter goes on,' resumed the General: '”Inez hung the Ragged Cross, the 'Sarreco badge,' round the baby's neck for a few moments to dub him true 'Sarreco.' Pahna looks on it as a charm especially his own, and hangs it over his cot. 'Fife' watches the little one jealously, so he is well protected.”

'That is practically all,' said the General, folding the thin letter reverently with hands that trembled; 'but I feel surer and surer--my heart tells me that the little boy Paul Fife must be my own flesh and blood. He is Miguel Sarreco's very image: the same haughty poise of the head, and lean, sinewy body; but when he speaks, the voice is my son's, and the curve of the lips his also.'

'I think I can help you,' said Captain Ferrers, rising. 'I have here in my pocket-book the exact description of the finding the dying woman and the child in the jungle as given me by the Tounghi, ”Maung Yet”--he is still to be found, I believe, if more is required. Her dying words over and over were as you see: ”Thakin Ingalay--Bebe--Mah Kloo.” He took the last to be the woman's own name, and impressed me with the same idea.

But it must be meant for Macleod. This alone, coupled with the white lock of hair, is almost proof-positive. But still further, the dog was there, and on his bra.s.s collar (which I removed at once, not to risk losing it) was the word ”Fife,” the name of his owner, we thought, and so we called the child Fife too. Last, but not least, I believe I have in safe keeping the veritable ”Sarreco badge” you mention, a curious kind of gold cross, fastened to a thin gold chain. Maung Yet gave it to me as a charm found on the dead woman. I may add that these Karen women are wonderfully faithful; probably both husband and her own infant were slain early in the fight, and she had alone been able to take away the English baby, and had carried him all those weary miles, saving him only to die herself. The hards.h.i.+ps endured are terrible to think of.'

There was a pause--the old General's head was bowed over his clasped hands. Then he rose to his full height and said: 'It is quite enough to a.s.sure me of what I felt sure of before. I thank G.o.d for all His mercy!

and now I should just like to kiss my little grandson before I go. I will be here again early to-morrow.'

Captain Ferrers and Dr. Rayne, both frequent visitors at Clere, a.s.sert that the General grows younger. It may well be so, for the dark clouds of sorrow have lifted, and the sun s.h.i.+nes for him with the laughter of a happy child. He can look hopefully forward now to life's evening. He is not the last of the McLeods.

MARTIA.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”They came hopping in, Paul an easy first.”]

THE STARTLED HARES.

Four hares were at dinner one day-- The sweetest of herbage was theirs-- And as they all nibbled away They seemed to be rid of their cares; For the gra.s.s was so green and the sky was so blue, They had plenty to eat and nothing to do.

The sun shone so brightly that day, They did not think danger was near; The hunters and dogs were away, There was nothing around to cause fear.

When, alas! from the sky there dropped with a plump, A something which made their poor hearts give a jump.

[Ill.u.s.tration:

”After all, I will wait-- I must hurry off home, it is getting quite late!”]

Poor Fred was knocked backward at once, And Charlie fell flat on the ground, While Peter stretched out his long legs And fled without making a sound; But Tom, who was boastful, cried, 'Stop! Don't you see, It is only a kite from its string broken free!

'Just let me catch hold of that boy, I'll give him a box on the ear-- I'll teach him to fly his old kite Beside us, to cause us such fear....

Why, there _is_ the boy! After all, I will wait-- I must hurry off home, it is getting quite late!'

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