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If a Christian, he fails not to remember that highly poetical passage of sacred writing, that speaks of the willow of Babylon. Now the one which grew upon the little peninsula had all these points of interest for little Trüey but it had others as well. Upon its branches that overhung the water a very singular appearance presented itself.
It saw its mistress out upon the peninsula. Had she called it? Why had she uttered that strange cry? They were not sounds of joyful import it had heard. Was anything amiss? Yonder she stood. It would gallop to her and see what was wanted; and with such thoughts passing through its brain, the bright little creature bounded down the bank towards the edge of the lake. Truey trembled for her pet.
It might be a harmless serpent for all she knew; but a snake, nearly six feet in length, whether it be harmless or venomous, is a terrible object to be near; and Truey had instinctively glided to one side, and stood off from it as far as the water would allow her.
Life was now extinct, and the hideous form, extended to its full length, lay lithe and motionless upon the grass. Jan and Truey clapped their hands, and uttered exclamations of joy. The serpent-eater took no heed of their demonstrations, but, approaching the dead cobra, bent over it, and coolly set about making his dinner. Von Bloom and his family had now been months without bread.
Little Jan was packed off to school to study grammar and geography; while the beautiful Trüey remained at home to grace the mansion of her honoured father, and look after his household affairs.
Even during that night they had heard the roaring of lions down by the vley; and when it was morning, the spoor showed that several of these animals had drunk at the water. How could he leave little Trüey his dear little Trüey or Jan, who was not a bit bigger how could he leave them in an open camp while such monsters were roving about? He could not think of doing so.
It saw its mistress out upon the peninsula. Had she called it? Why had she uttered that strange cry? They were not sounds of joyful import it had heard. Was anything amiss? Yonder she stood. It would gallop to her and see what was wanted; and with such thoughts passing through its brain, the bright little creature bounded down the bank towards the edge of the lake. Trüey trembled for her pet.
His two eldest boys were already helps to him in his daily occupations; the youngest would soon be so likewise. In Gertrude, or "Trüey," as she was endearingly styled, he would soon have a capital housekeeper. He was not unhappy therefore; and if an occasional sigh escaped him, it was when the face of little Trüey recalled the memory of that Gertrude who was now in heaven.
Truey was habited in a skirt of blue woollen stuff, with a neat bodice elaborately stitched and embroidered after the Dutch fashion, and over her fair locks she wore a light sun-hat of straw with a ribbon and strings. Totty was very plainly attired in strong homespun, without any head-dress.
It was evidently enraged partly because it had failed in its plundering intentions, not having been able to reach the nests of the birds, and partly that the latter had repeatedly struck it with their beaks no doubt causing it considerable pain. It was further provoked by the arrival of Truey, in whom it recognised the rescuer of its intended victims.
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