Part 22 (2/2)

All at once, as though some one had touched a match to a pouch of powder, up she started, her eyes wild with excitement.

”I have it!” she exclaimed, springing softly to the floor, ”I have it!

May I but have the luck I crave, and my Dream Prince shall go free!”

What she meant to do her red lips did not utter. But she dressed plainly and carefully, and from a drawer she took a piece of black lace and wound it about her head and over her forehead.

Down-stairs she crept, and in the porch put on a long, straight coat worn by the parson when for exercise he worked in the garden, and on her head she put an old straw hat with a broad rim, half shading her face.

Then she pa.s.sed out at a rear door that was not locked, and walked into the road with a long, careless stride.

The colored boys were often thus seen going from place to place late at night. And with her goldy hair pressed under the dark lace, her face partly covered by the big hat, and the coat closely b.u.t.toned and reaching nearly to her heels, Sally might well have been taken for a tall boy bound on an errand, or striding homeward from a late dance.

She made straight for Ingleside, reaching it from the parson's at a point below the stables, and, oh, joy! she nearly cried out with delight.

Hotspur was tethered in a square paddock, well behind the stables, Sampson, or ”Samp,” an enormous watch-dog who would have let no stranger approach, beside him. But Samp she knew well, and quieted him with a soft word.

What made Sally so sure that she could ride a great fiery horse she could not have told, but some natures there are so fearless and yet so sweet that animals will follow them wherever they may lead.

And when Maid Sally went up to Hotspur and drew down the beautiful short head and patted and pinched the soft nose, then, letting down a couple of bars and pulling at the bridle, led him over the thick turf, the great creature followed with slow, silent tread as the brave young girl went out into the back road. Samp went back as he was bidden, obedient as a child.

On went Sally, her heart thumping lest some one should hear and sharply order her back.

At a little distance she led Hotspur to a stile, and climbing up, still holding the bridle, she mounted without accident.

”Now up and away, Hotspur!” she cried, pressing her feet to the powerful sides. And up and away it was!

For Sally neither drew rein, nor did Hotspur once break his long, splendid stride until nearly an hour had pa.s.sed.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”FOR SALLY NEITHER DREW REIN NOR DID HOTSPUR ONCE BREAK HIS LONG, SPLENDID STRIDE.”]

Sally had noted the direction from which the three hors.e.m.e.n had come in the afternoon. She knew also that Pamunkey turnpike was almost a day's journey from Williamsburg.

Fully four hours must she ride before going half the distance. But the stage-wagon was slow compared to Hotspur's fleet hoofs.

The meeting-house clock had struck twelve as she rode through the town, and now it must be about one. But a single help could she have to guide her, and she said to herself:

”Well it is that Parson Kendall hath taught me somewhat about the stars.

I must keep the big dipper directly before me or I shall alter my course. Pamunkey turnpike lieth before me as the crow flies. Often enough have I heard that.”

As if her own voice was like company, she asked:

”Now, good Fairy, what must I do?”

And she pretended her Fairy made answer:

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