Page:The Gypsy Lad of Roumania (1914).djvu/20

18 him sometimes about his fondness for Beauty, and said doves were pets for maidens, and that Peter would never be a man.

Peter did beg an old bow and arrows of Fontanus, however, and when he was alone watching the flock, he practiced industriously. If he ever did get tall, he meant to be a soldier, and help to save his land from this threatened terror.

There was haste in the drilling. The men’s faces were grim. Word had come that the Turks were preparing to send such a great body that they would crush Roumania so that it would never rise again.

One day Stephen and his staff rode over to the village to see how they were progressing. Peter from his place where he was watching, heard the cheers. He arose, and was thrilled with admiration when he saw the tall, splendid men, riding up toward the field where they were drilling. There were several women riding with them. Peter heard the word go around: “The princess! She comes, too. She would go and fight if she could. The Turks slew all her family. She alone was hidden by an old nurse, and escaped.”

Peter looked closely at the princess, but across the field he could see only that she had golden hair, instead of black like most of the people he knew.

After the village dignitaries had welcomed the prince’s party, the drilling began at once. Peter turned his eyes to the men. They had never done so well before. Those near enough to see the prince, knew that his eyes were sparkling with approval.