"also that 'a man who loses his temper aint got nothin left but a fool.' Strong is shamed.
"'Taint nuff to look a gift hoss in the mouth better turn him rong side out and see how hes lined."
Having "thought out" these thoughts and set them down, the Emperor rose and put the book in his pocket and hurried up the familiar trail, followed by his companion. A little farther on they met Socky, Sue, and Sinth.
"Merry C'ris'mus!" the Emperor shouted as he caught sight of them. He put his great hands upon their backs and drew the boy and girl close against his knees. "My leetle f-fawns!" he said, with a chuckle of delight, as he clumsily patted them. His eyes were damp with joy; his hands trembled in their eagerness to open the pack. He untied the strings and uncovered the rocking-horse and other trinkets.
"Whoa!" he shouted, as he put the little, dapple-gray, wooden horse on the smooth trail and set him rocking.
Cries of delight echoed in that green aisle of the woods. Strong put the children on the back of the wooden horse and gave a brass trumpet to Socky and buckled a girdle of silver bells around the waist of Sue. Then he put on his pack, lifted horse and children, and bore them into Lost River camp. The laughter of the young man joined that of the children.
"Silas Strong!" Sinth exclaimed, as the Emperor unloaded in front of the cook-tent.
"P-present!" he answered, promptly.
"Can't hear myself think," said she, with a suggestion of the old twang in her voice.
"N-now, t-try," said Silas Strong, as he gave her a little package.