How was it done? That is Steenie’s secret, learned from Kentucky Bob and loyally kept because of her promise; but this is what happened: she leaned her face far forward till her pretty lips were close beside the frantic animal’s ear, and there cooed to him in half-whispered sounds, till he paused for one second to listen,—and in that brief instant yielded his equine will to her human one.
“Good boy! So, so, my hero! Softly now,—as a well-bred horse should go! Don’t you be afraid, little girl! He’s—what’s his name?”
“Ki-inks,” faltered a timid voice.
“Well, I should think so! He’s full of kinks; but he’s a beauty! Aren’t you, dear?” which flattery the mettlesome creature seemed to heed, for he fell into a measured pace, and tossed his mane proudly, as who should say: “Behold me! A fine fellow am I!”
A few rods further of this movement, then Steenie checked Kinks entirely; and though he quivered and trembled, and looked nervously around at the groom riding up and the crowds who had collected on the sidewalk, he suffered the restraint imposed upon him by the stroking of her soft little hands and her caressing voice. Then she asked: “Where do you live, girl? Do you want to go home?”
“Yes, yes! I live down there,” answered the rescued child, loosing one arm from her preserver’s waist sufficiently to point forwards down the avenue.
“Shall I get off? Can you ride alone?”
“No—no—no! Let me down! Please!”
“Wait. Let me tell you. Is he your horse?”
“Yes.”