“I do not know the language.”
“I do; ‘Love, thou art safe! art safe! I watch for thee! for thee!’”
They led the old mule to the barn, and gave him ten ears of corn and two bundles of oats. Sandy got up at daylight the next morning and repeated the dose; the old mule knew something was up. Then Sandy came to the house and put on some clothes that had been sent up from Red Bird. Jeannette came to breakfast a little late; she had on a short-skirted riding habit. Simeon and his wife tried not to show their surprise. She kept still; he exercised less restraint or exhibited more curiosity than his wife—they say men have more. “What’s [pg 69] up, Sandy? Why have you put on your Sunday clothes, this is Saturday?”
And Sandy answered: “Jeannette and I are going to Hyden to be married.”
“Well, I’ll be d——d! How’re you going?”
“She’ll ride the old mule; I’ll walk and lead the beast.”
“Why it’s fifteen miles; it’ll take all day.”
“That’s all right.”
“You better take my horse.”
“No, Jeannette wants to ride the old mule and wants me to lead him. She’s boss until tomorrow.”