Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 1).djvu/123

 'Run out again,' she said to the child. 'You are like a goat; you stay ill at case in stall.'

Musa wanted no other word; she was out and away along the shore almost as soon as it was spoken, the dog Leone with her; though he grew old he seldom left her side.

'May I have the boat?' she asked of her friend Andreino, and he nodded assent; he had to stay at home and mend his nets. His legs were stiff and helpless with rheumatism. He adored his boat, but he could trust her with it. She was as good a sailor as himself, and knew no fear.

She ran down to the place where the punt was drawn up on the low sands, and pushed it to the water; she sprang in, and bade the dog stay and mind Joconda. She set the sail. There was a fair wind blowing from the south; the little boat went with it. Now and then she gave it the aid of the oars, but seldom. She could sit at rest, with the tiller rope round her foot, and let the boat go along the shore.

The land had no loveliness on that bay, but the sea had much in that radiant and tranquil morning, and from the water even