“But, mother,” said the boy, who now in turn took upon him the office of comforter, “the robbers left us with our lives, and we shall surely find some food here. Cheer up, mother; did you not tell me God would take care of us when no one else could?”
The mother’s only answer was to take her boy in a closer embrace and kiss him passionately.
Suddenly there appeared before them a man of fierce aspect, holding in his hand a drawn sword.
Escape was impossible; robbed as they already were, they had nothing but their lives to offer to this wild ruffian. And would he scruple to murder where he could not rob?
The courage of the lady, in this desperate case, returned as quickly as it had lately deserted her.
A sudden resolution gleamed in her face; then, rising majestically to her feet, and taking by the hand her trembling boy, she advanced proud and stately towards the robber. The man halted wonderingly. There was something in the imperious bearing of this tall, beautiful lady—something in the appealing looks of the gallant boy—which for a moment cowed his lawless resolve, and made him hesitate.
Noticing this, the lady advanced close to him, and said in clear, majestic tones,—
“Behold, my friend, I commit to your care the safety of your king’s son!”
The man started back in astonishment, the sword dropped from his hand, and a look, half of alarm, half of perplexity, took possession of his face.
Then he fell on one knee, and respectfully bowed almost to the earth.