Page:The Floating Prince - Frank R Stockton.djvu/210

Rh kissing her good-bye, and assuring her that he would not let her go back by herself if he did not feel certain that no one would molest her on the way.

The rest of the party now went on at a good pace, the giant striding along as fast as the horses could trot. The Ninkum did not seem to know the way as well as he had said he did. He continually desired to turn to the right, and, when the others inquired if he was sure that he ought to do this, he said that the best thing a person could do when a little in doubt was to turn to the right.

The citizen did not like this method of reasoning, and he was about to make an objection to it, when a man was perceived, sitting, in doleful plight, by the side of the road. The Ninkum who was very kind-hearted, rode up to him, to inquire what had happened to him, but the moment the man raised his head, and before he had time to say a word, Loris slipped off her horse and threw her arms around his neck.

"Oh father! father!" she cried. "How came you here?"

It was indeed, Jorn, ragged, wounded and exhausted.

In a moment everyone set to work to relieve him. Loris ran for water and bathed his face and hands; the citizen gave him some wine, from a flask; the giant produced some great pieces of bread and meat; and the Ninkum asked him questions.

Jorn soon felt refreshed and strengthened, and then he told his story. He had been greatly troubled, when he found that Loris had gone away against his express orders.

"Why father," cried Loris, at this point, "you said I could go."

"Never," said Jorn, "I said you could not go."

"Reversibly speaking," said the Ninkum smiling, "he consented, that was the way I put the question to him. If I had not put it in that way, I should have told a lie."