The word came from Sue in a low, pathetic wail of fear.
"I ain't never goin' to tell any more lies," the boy asserted, in a
firm, clear voice, "er swear er run away."
They both gave a cry of alarm, for Zeb had sprung upon them and begun to
lick their faces. Their aunt and uncle had missed them and Zeb had led
his master to where they sat.
Strong had heard the children choosing between him and their Creator and
understood. Socky and Sue, after the shock of Zeb's sudden arrival, were
encouraged by his presence and began to take counsel together.
"We better go home," said Socky.
"What if we meet something?"
"Pooh! I'll crook my finger to him an' say, 'Sile Strong is my uncle,'"
Socky answered, confidently. "You'll see him run fast enough."
It was a formula which his uncle had taught him, and he had tried it
upon a deer and a hedgehog with eminent success.
The Emperor had planned to give them a scare by way of punishment,
but now he had no heart for severity. He walked through the bushes
whistling. He said not a word as he knelt before them--indeed, the man
dared not trust himself to speak. With cries of joy they climbed upon
his shoulders and embraced him. Strong rose and slowly carried them
through the dark trail. He could not even answer their questions. He.
was thinking of their faith in him--of their love, the like of which he
had-never known or dreamed of and was not able to understand. Sinth was
out with a lantern when they returned. The children were asleep in his
arms.
"Sh-h-h! Don't scold, sister," said he, in a voice so gentle it
surprised himself. They put the children to bed and walked to the
cook-tent. Strong told of all he had heard them say.
"I dunno but you'll have to whip 'em," said Sinth.
Strong was drying the little boots of the boy. He touched them tenderly
with his great hand. He smiled and shook his head and slowly stammered,
"If we're g-goin't' be g-good'nough t' 's-sociate with them we got t'
wh-whip ourselves."
He rose and put a stick of wood on the fire.
"Th-they think I'm m-most as good as God," he added, huskily, and then
he went out-ofdoors.
Before going to bed that night he made this entry in his
memorandum-book:
_"Strong won't do he'll have to be tore down an' built over."_