one Dr. Ward, whose descent had been much slower and
more careful than Johnny's, reached them, and his anxieties were at once
quieted by Johnny's assurance that it was
"Just the jolliest coast I ever had."
After examining both Johnny and Jack, to assure himself of their
well-being, and heartily thanking the Englishman for his kind assistance,
the doctor asked permission to leave Johnny under his care until he could
get Eric and the horses from the top of the mountain.
The new friend willingly undertook the care of Johnny, and the doctor
hastened up the mountain to relieve Eric's anxiety.
Johnny seated himself near the door of the tent, and a young man of the
party brought him some grapes. Jack neighed wistfully for his share, for
Johnny had made a great pet of him, always dividing his fruit with him.
"I'll give you some, Jack," he said, walking towards the horse. "Gracious,
how stiff and sore I feel."
While Jack was champing his feast with great satisfaction, an English boy,
of Johnny's size, came towards them.
"Is that your horse?" said he.
"Yes," answered Johnny; "isn't he a good one?"
"_Is_ he a good one?" asked the boy.
"I guess he is," said Johnny, hotly; "there isn't a better horse
anywhere."
"But papa's groom told me," persisted the English lad, "that a horse with
four white feet and a white nose was worthless. He says,--
'One white foot, buy him,
Two white feet, try him,
Three white feet, deny him,
Four white feet and a white nose,
Take off his skin and throw him to the crows.'"
Johnny detected a roguish glitter in his companion's blue eyes, and with a
corresponding twinkle in his own, merely answered,--
"My old nurse says,--
'There was an old woman went up in a basket
Seventy times as high as the moon.'
I suppose you believe that, too."
This ready answer pleased the other, and they were soon fast friends.
"What is your name?" Johnny asked.
"Arthur Montgomery," was the reply.
Johnny wondered where he had heard the name before; but though he was sure
he had heard it, he could not remember where.
He began to feel quite tired and sleepy before the doctor returned for
him, and his bruises ached badly. Once he would have cried and worried
every one about him, if in such an uncomfortable state; but now he bore
the pain like a Spartan.
The doctor came at last, and after thanking the
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