The child opened his palm and disclosed a bright half-crown piece.
"Where on earth did you get that?"
"The soldier gave it to me."
"The soldier? nonsense! What tale are you making up?"
"Well, he had a red coat, so he must be a soldier. He gave it to me and told me to be a good boy and run off and play."
Taffy came to a halt. "Is he here—up at the cottages?"
"How funnily you say that! No, he's just rode away. I watched him from the light-house windows. He can't be gone far yet."
"Look here, Joey—can you run?"
"Yes, if you hold my hand; only you mustn't go too fast. Oh, you're hurting!"
Taffy took the child in his arms, and with the wind at his back, went up the hill with long stride. "There he is!" cried Joey as they gained the ridge; and he pointed; and Taffy, looking along the ridge, saw a speck of scarlet moving against the lead-colored moors—half a mile away perhaps, or a little more. He sat the child down, for the cottages were close by. "Run home, sonny. I'm going to have a look at the soldier, too."