Part 24 (1/2)

She got into the barn and filled the front of the coat with hay. This she carried to Hotspur, who enjoyed the crisp breakfast greatly.

”I wish I could bring you water, dear,” she said, ”but how am I to get my own breakfast?”

For with all her shrewdness, the maiden had given not one thought to food when she started out, and a healthy maid of fourteen could not long be unmindful of hunger after a four hours' ride.

In a few moments however, she was to be glad of having made friends with the great dog. For a colored boy put a pan with meat bones, cold biscuit, and a basin of water by the shed, for the dog's breakfast.

As the boy slouched away, up crept Sally, and s.n.a.t.c.hed two of the biscuit, and oh, what luck! a good doughnut, long and twisted, was close against the biscuit. She s.n.a.t.c.hed that too.

”Surely I may have part of the dog's food without stealing,” she said.

Then she cast about in her mind how next to proceed. Time was precious.

Now it may well be supposed that during her long ride so bright a maid as Sally would have tried to think of some plan that might help her once she reached her journey's end. And she had not forgotten that all she had heard and learned about the present condition of her Fairy Prince had come to her as she sat by a tree.

”Might not a tree help me again?” she asked. ”Could I but make a sound, or give a sign, it surely would help me, if only the young Prince came near enough. I can think of no other way unless I hide about the house and watch my chance for a quick word.”

Ah, but with others around, how long might it be ere the chance would come. And time was pa.s.sing swiftly away.

A fine elm stood before the house, and Sally resolved to scramble into it and at least take a good look around. The branches grew closely, and fortunately came nearer the ground than was usual.

She watched some time before daring to climb, but at length she found a place where she could seat herself, and the great boughs made a very good screen.

Another precious hour went by; it was between five and six o'clock.

Farm-hands were at work. Sally could see them in the distance.

All at once she caught her breath in the way natural to her when surprised or excited.

For there at the front door stood her Fairy Prince, but with how gloomy and clouded a face! And close beside him was a strong and stalwart man.

”His guard!” whispered Sally. ”Shameful, oh, shameful!”

The two strolled out and down the path. Sally nearly choked as they paused close by the tree. In her hand she held a bit of bark, picked with a purpose.

The older man turned his head. Down fluttered a bit of bark close to young Lionel's feet. Down fluttered another. The young man looked up.

Sally made a swift sign.

”I wonder which way is the wind,” said Lionel; ”the vane is just out of sight.”

The man walked a few yards away toward a corner of the house.

”Don't look up,” called Sally, in a loud whisper, ”but Hotspur is here.

Down in the dell to the right. Run! he is only lightly tied. The others will be at Pamunkey turnpike at noon.”

The man was already turning back, and Sally was surprised and, ah! how greatly disappointed to see her Fairy Prince go quietly with him to the porch.

Did he not hear her? Did not he believe her? The days were such as to make men crafty, quick to catch an idea, swift to use it.

Aha! as the front door, heavy and thick, was reached and both were stepping in, Lionel gave the man a sudden push, sending him head-long into the hall; then he slammed to the door, and rushed like mad to the dell sloping off to the right.