The Garret and the Garden | Page 8

Robert Michael Ballantyne
vigorous
exertion, but when he heard the girl's shriek, and, a moment later, saw
her fall, he sprang to her side with one lithe bound, like that of a Bengal
tiger, and aimed a blow at her assailant, which, had it taken effect,
would have interrupted for some time--if not terminated for ever--that
rascal's career. But the thief, though drunk, was young, strong, and
active. It is also probable that he was a professional pugilist for, instead
of attempting to spring back from the blow--which he had not time to
do--he merely put his head to one side and let it pass. At the same
instant David received a stinging whack on the right eye, which
although it failed to arrest his rush, filled his vision with starry
coruscations.
The thief fell back and the Scot tripped over him. Before he could
recover himself the thief was up like an acrobat and gone. At the same
moment two policemen, rushing on the scene in answer to the girl's
shriek, seized David by the collar and held him fast.
There was Highland as well as Lowland blood in the veins of young
Laidlaw. This sanguinary mixture is generally believed to possess
effervescing properties when stirred. It probably does. For one moment
the strength of Goliath of Gath seemed to tingle in David's frame, and
the vision of two policemen's heads battered together swam before his
eyes--but he thought better of it and restrained himself!
"Tak' yer hands aff me, freens," he said, suddenly unclosing his fists
and relaxing his brows. "Ye'd better see after the puir lassie. An' dinna
fear for me. I'm no gawn to rin awa'!"

Perceiving the evident truth of this latter remark, the constables turned
their attention to the girl, who was by that time beginning to recover.
"Where am I?" asked Susy, gazing into the face of her rescuer with a
dazed look.
"Yer a' right, puir bairn. See, tak' ha'd o' my airm," said the Scot.
"That's the way, now, take hold of mine," said one of the constables in
a kindly tone; "come along--you'll be all right in a minute. The station
is close at hand."
Thus supported the girl was led to the nearest police station, where
David Laidlaw gave a minute account of what had occurred to the
rather suspicious inspector on duty. While he was talking, Susan, who
had been provided with a seat and a glass of water, gazed at him with
profound interest. She had by that time recovered sufficiently to give
her account of the affair, and, as there was no reason for further
investigation of the matter, she was asked if her home was far off, and a
constable was ordered to see her safely there.
"Ye needna fash," said David carelessly, "I'm gawn that way mysel', an'
if the puir lassie has nae objection I'll be glad to--"
The abrupt stoppage in the youth's speech was caused by his turning to
Susy and looking full and attentively in her face, which, now that the
colour was restored and the dishevelled hair rearranged, had a very
peculiar effect on him. His mother's idea of a "waux doll" instantly
recurred to his mind, but the interest and intelligence in Susy's pretty
face was very far indeed removed from the vacant imbecility which
usually characterises that fancy article of juvenile luxury.
"Of course if the girl wishes you to see her home," said the inspector, "I
have no objection, but I'll send a constable to help you to take care of
her."
"Help me to tak' care o' her!" exclaimed David, whose pride was sorely
hurt by the distrust implied in these words; "man, I could putt her in my

pooch an' you alang wi' her."
Of this remark Mr Inspector, who had resumed his pen, took no notice
whatever, but went on writing while one of the constables prepared to
obey his superior's orders. In his indignation the young Scot resolved to
fling out of the office and leave the police to do as they pleased in the
matter, but, glancing at Susy as he turned round, he again met the gaze
of her soft blue eyes.
"C'way, lassie, I wull gang wi' ye," he said, advancing quickly and
offering his arm.
Being weak from the effects of her fall, Susy accepted the offer
willingly, and was supported on the other side by a policeman.
In a short time the trio ascended the rookery stair and presented
themselves to the party in the garret-garden just as Sam Blake and
Tommy Splint were about to leave it.
It is impossible to describe adequately the scene that ensued--the
anxiety of the poor seaman to be recognised by his long lost "babby,"
the curious but not unnatural hesitancy of that "babby" to admit
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