BRUNO 87 



at once grasped the situation. Many people in 

 St. Augustine had such pets, and I was sure 

 this one must have escaped from the grounds of 

 its owner, to fall into the hands of the rabble. 



I hurried out to shut the gate. Most boys 

 are more or less cruel; but Spanish boys are 

 intensely so. When I returned to the porch, 

 Bruno and the deer were regarding each other 

 with mutual doubts. I settled Bruno's at once 

 by laying my hand on his head while I stroked 

 our gentle visitor, saying, 



"Pretty deer, Boonie mustn't hurt it! ' 



The deer seemed satisfied too, and to feel 

 that danger was past. I brought water, and 

 everything I could think of to offer it to eat. 

 It was too warm with running to want food, 

 though, and only took a few swallows of water. 

 Its lovely, deep eyes suggested all sorts of 

 romantic thoughts. Of course I quoted, " Come 

 rest in this bosom," and "I never nursed a dear 

 gazelle." I was sure its name should be Juanita, 

 after the girl in the sweet Spanish song. 



All day the pretty creature roamed about our 

 little enclosure, Bruno and I attending to its 

 wants as best we could, having had no experi- 

 ence in catering for such guests. 



It turned quite chilly towards evening. When 



