` Hallo , here 's old Sintram ! I remember him ; used to like him and his tantrums , and read about 'em to Ted . There he is riding ahead with Death and the Devil alongside . ' As Dan looked at the little picture of the young man with horse and hound going bravely up the rocky defile , accompanied by the companions who ride beside most men through this world , a curious impulse made Mrs Jo say quickly : ` That 's you , Dan , just you at this time ! Danger and sin are near you in the life you lead ; moods and passions torment you ; the bad father left you to fight alone , and the wild spirit drives you to wander up and down the world looking for peace and self-control . Even the horse and hound are there , your Octoo and Don , faithful friends , unscared by the strange mates that go with you . You have not got the armour yet , but I 'm trying to show you where to find it . Remember the mother Sintram loved and longed to find , and did find when his battle was bravely fought , his reward well earned ? You can recollect your mother ; and I have always felt that all the good qualities you possess come from her . Act out the beautiful old story in this as in the other parts , and try to give her back a son to be proud of . ' Quite carried away by the likeness of the quaint tale to Dan 's life and needs , Mrs Jo went on pointing to the various pictures which illustrated it , and when she looked up was surprised to see how struck and interested he seemed to be . Like all people of his temperament he was very impressionable , and his life among hunters and Indians had made him superstitious ; he believed in dreams , liked weird tales , and whatever appealed to the eye or mind , vividly impressed him more than the wisest words . The story of poor , tormented Sintram came back clearly as he looked and listened , symbolizing his secret trials even more truly than Mrs Jo knew ; and just at that moment this had an effect upon him that never was forgotten . But all he said was : ` Small chance of that . I do n't take much stock in the idea of meeting folks in heaven . Guess mother wo n't remember the poor little brat she left so long ago ; why should she ? ' ` Because true mothers never forget their children ; and I know she was one , from the fact that she ran away from the cruel husband , to save her little son from bad influences . Had she lived , life would have been happier for you , with this tender friend to help and comfort you . Never forget that she risked everything for your sake , and do n't let it be in vain . ' Mrs Jo spoke very earnestly , knowing that this was the one sweet memory of Dan 's early life , and glad to have recalled it at this moment ; for suddenly a great tear splashed down on the page where Sintram kneels at his mother 's feet , wounded , but victorious over sin and death .
She looked up , well pleased to have touched XXXXX to the heart 's core , as that drop proved ; but a sweep of the arm brushed away the tell-tale , and his beard hid the mate to it , as he shut the book , saying with a suppressed quiver in his strong voice : ` I 'll keep this , if nobody wants it .
Dan Devil Don Hallo Indians Jo Octoo Sintram defile left