The Fourth Watch | Page 6

A shiver passed through his body, caused not by the coldness
alone. Several came to speak to him. He did not want to see them. He
turned and fled down across the field over the fence to the humble
cabin in the valley. This he entered, now so quiet and desolate. He
reached the bed--his father's bed--and throwing himself upon it gave
vent to his grief. His pent-up feelings at last found an outlet and tears
coursed down his tanned cheeks, moistening the pillow beneath his
little curly head.

Chapter III

Glendow Rectory
"Are you cold, lad?"
"No," was the brief reply.
Parson John, Rector of Glendow, glanced down at the little muffled
figure at his side. He reached over, tucked in the robes more closely
about their feet, and spoke one word to Midnight. The horse, noble
animal that she was, bounded forward. The ice, glassy and firm,
stretched out far ahead. It was a raw, midwinter day and the wind
drifting in from the north-east presaged a storm. But the magnificent
beast, black as a raven's wing, did not mind it. With head low, tail
almost touching the dash-board, and eyes sparkling with animation, she
clipped along with great strides.
The parson gave a half-audible chuckle as he settled back in the seat
and gripped the reins more firmly.
"What will Nellie say," he thought, "when she sees the lad? Won't she
be surprised! She's never tired of talking about that rescue on the river."
Dan thoroughly enjoyed the drive as he nestled by the parson's side. It
was very strange to be speeding along in such a luxurious manner, with
a horse travelling like the wind, and a big jolly man holding the reins.
He said nothing, but kept his eye fixed upon Midnight, his admiration
steadily increasing. He would like to own a horse like that, and down in
his heart he determined to have one some day--his very own.
"What do you think of Midnight, lad?" asked the parson, noticing Dan's
admiring gaze.
"Great!" was the reply.
"Wish to have one like her, eh?"
"Y'bet."
"You will some day, boy; you will. But get a good one or none at all,

and here's a safe rule:
"Round-hoof'd, short-jointed, fetlocks shag and long, Broad breast, full
eye, small head and nostrils wide, High crest, short ears, straight legs
and passing strong. Thin, mane, thick tail, broad buttock, tender hide.
"Now the man who said that, knew what he was talking about."
"What's his name?" asked Dan. "Does he live here?"
"Ho, ho!" and the parson's hearty laugh rang out over the snow. "'Does
he live here?' I'm afraid not. Very few in Glendow know old Will
Shakespeare, more's the pity."
"I should like to meet him, though," remarked Dan. "He must know a
lot about horses."
"Ay, ay, lad, he knows a lot about most things, and you shall know him
some day, Dan, when you get older. But here we are right at home.
We've made great time."
After Midnight had been carefully stabled and fed, Parson John led his
little charge into the Rectory. Scarcely had they crossed the threshold
into a brightly-lighted room ere the sound of a sweet voice humming an
old familiar tune fell gently upon their ears. Then a heavy tapestry
curtain was drawn aside, and a slender girlish form stood before them.
Beholding the lad, she gave a start of surprise, while her face, of more
than ordinary beauty, flushed with pleasure.
"Ha, ha, Nellie," laughed her father, giving her an affectionate kiss, "I
have captured your young hero at last, and I'm glad you recognize him.
He's to live with us, to be your honourable bodyguard, your Fidus
Achates, in fact."
What a picture this venerable man presented as he stood there.
Wrapped in a great-coat, with fur mittens in his hands; a long grey
beard sweeping his breast; hair abundant and white, crowning a face of
singular strength and refinement, he seemed the very embodiment of

health and hearty cheer. No ascetic this, but a man in whose veins
flowed the fire of youth, and whose eyes twinkled with quiet, honest
laughter as they looked into his daughter's puzzled face.
"I don't exactly understand," Nellie remarked, glancing first at her
father and then at Dan.
"No, I know you don't, dear, but I'll tell you all about it later. It's
enough now to know that I found him, and we are to give him a home
here. So if you'll let us have something to eat, we'll be very glad, won't
we, laddie?"
Dan stood as if in a dream during this conversation. His eyes remained
fixed upon Nellie's face. Could it be possible that this was the woman
he had rescued, and who had spoken so kindly to