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He tugged the horse away from the water and walked on, enjoying the birdsong, even this late in the year, until he reached a favourite spot. He dropped the reins over a branch near a large oak and lowered his six-foot frame to the ground. He could allow himself a few moments of rest. As he sat there contemplating a sunny December afternoon, a small voice drifted to him. At first it made him wonder if he had fallen asleep.
“Please Sir, could you help me down?”
When moments passed as he considered where the voice might have come from, a child’s sobs began, somewhere above him. Daniel stood, and moved, peering upwards until he got a better view up into the broad branches of the huge oak tree. Finally, he found a position where he was able to spy bare feet hanging from a pair of ragged trousers, about thirty feet above the ground.
“Well good day to you!” Daniel shouted up past the huge tree trunk. “Are you stuck up there, lad?”
“Yes, sir!” came the answer. “I’ve been up here ever so long, and I can’t get down. I’m afraid I’ll fall.”
Catching his breath, the boy made a brave attempt to stop the sobs which shook his body.
“Well, there is nothing for it then but that I rescue you.”
Jumping for the first limb, Daniel could not help but wonder how the boy had managed to get up there in the first place. With some effort he was soon able to reach the limb where the child hugged the trunk of the tree.
He placed a hand on the lad’s shoulder and looked into his eyes.
“I see your problem then. May I know who it is I am about to rescue?”
“Robert, sir. I’m Robert Hanson. And I know who you are — you’re the man who helps my Grandpapa run his farm.”
This caused Daniel to chuckle. He then instructed the boy to place his arms around Daniel’s neck, and carefully climbed down to the ground, where he gave the child a hug and set him soundly on his feet.
“There now, young fellow my lad, you’re safe. How old are you? And could you be any relation to Mr. John Hanson?”
“I’m seven, sir — and Mr. John Hanson is my Grandpapa.”
The small, freckled face was streaked, but no new tears were falling. Robert wiped his face on his sleeve, making the streaks worse.
“Well then, I know him well, and I will take you home. Can you sit in front of me on the horse? General won’t mind.”
“I’ve only ridden with Grandpapa, Sir, mostly in his cart,” said Robert.
Daniel could see that the boy was awed at the horse’s size. He smiled and made light of the adventure as he lifted the boy up onto the saddle and then swung up behind him, shifting the child until he rested on Daniel’s knees, and the pommel, so that Daniel could settle properly into the saddle.
“No matter, there is room aplenty and it’s not far. You hold onto the horse’s mane, and I’ll hold onto you”.
In that manner they rode slowly back across the meadow and down a little lane. Robert spoke of how his older brother, Edward, had boosted him up into the tree and run away laughing, leaving him alone and stranded. Panicked by the situation, Robert had climbed even higher.
“But I knew he’d be back for me by suppertime or Mama would have his hide.”
Sharing a laugh with the youngster, Daniel was surprised to find that he was no longer as vexed by his dilemma as he had been when riding out that day.
John Hanson was indeed well known to Daniel, being the estate manager for this one of his family estates – Summerfield Park. It was not long before they rode into the small farmyard of the home farm, scattering chickens, several geese, and a brown, barking puppy. Daniel slipped Robert down to the ground, where the boy promptly gathered the puppy up into his arms.
“Quiet, Sergeant! This is a friend of mine!”
Beaming up at Daniel, Robert thanked him for the ride. The door opened and, as he swung down and tied General’s reins to a nearby post, a pleasant, round young woman came out, wiping her hands on her apron.
“Lord Moorwood, what a pleasure to see you. Can I help you in any way?”
“Good afternoon, Caroline. I’ve been fetching Robert from an oak tree and introducing him to General. I think that your son will make a fine horseman someday.”
“That he will,” she replied with a smile, “if he survives long enough.”
Daniel chuckled.
“Boys will always be boys. By the way, is your father-in-law at home?”
