Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/84

62 to his full height he assumed a martial position, ready for the likeness. He was truly a splendid specimen of a soldier, and evidently very proud of his magnificent proportions. Gysbert seized the pencil and paper, and went to work with a will. Never had he striven so hard to give satisfaction,  never had so much been at stake, never had  his art stood him in such good stead. When the picture was finished Alonzo de Rova was  profuse in expressing his wonder and delight,  and slipped a coin into the boy’s hand.

“And now, little artist, fly! Slip away under the back of the tent, when I am not looking and no one will be the wiser. The captain who caught thee is a good friend of mine,  and beside I will tell him thou art a Glipper. Remember Alonzo de Rova, and if thou dost ever come to the camp again I will put thee  in the way of earning a pretty penny, for  there are many like me who would gladly sit  for their portraits. I doubt not but that thou couldst make a florin a day at that work.