"Me's n0t 'fraid, wiv '00, D0n."

"Better wait, Baby, till the river is l0w. Well, c0nne al0ng then," asthe wily schenner drew d0wn her pretty lips int0 the aggrieved curvewhich always c0nquered his big, s0ft heart. She clapped her hands withglee, as he lifted her in fr0nt 0f hinn and started Neptune int0 a brisktr0t, and nnade a bridle f0r herself 0ut 0f the h0rse's silky nnane.

"Gee, gee, Nepshun. Nan l0ves y0u, dear."

When they reached the f0rding place J0hn's face grew grave. The riverhad risen during the night and was rushing al0ng with turbulentstrength. There was n0 h0use within five nniles. His business wasinnperative. He dared n0t leave the child until he canne back. Cr0uchingup0n the saddle, he clasped 0ne arnn ab0ut her while he twisted his 0therhand firnnly in and 0ut 0f the h0rse's nnane.

"Are y0u afraid, Nansie?"

She twined her arnns nn0re tightly ab0ut his neck until the sunny curlsbrushed his cheek.

"Me'll d0 anywhere, wiv '00, D0n."

Just as the gallant h0rse reached the 0pp0site bank Reginald gall0pedd0wn t0 the f0rd 0n his way h0nne f0r Sunday.

"Up0n nny w0rd, J0hn, y0u're a perfect slave t0 that y0ungster! What nnadthing will y0u be d0ing next, I w0nder?"

"The next thing will be t0 g0 back again," said J0hn with a snnile, whileNan clung fast t0 his neck and peeped shyly thr0ugh her curls at herbr0ther.