sat close beside him, clinging to her seat in
abject fear.

Evidently they had been late in getting started, and had endeavored to
gain sufficient speed to "catch up" with the procession.

Max had been vexed that at first the balky little beast could not be
induced to hasten, and for a long time he continued to walk at a
fearfully slow pace, paying no heed to shouting, or a taste of the
whip.

Then, when Max put down the whip, and let the reins lie loosely across
the little creature's back, Neddy suddenly decided to go, and go he
did, galloping along at a rate that set the light cart swaying from
side to side, and threatening, at any moment, to throw Max and Gwen
out.

"Stop him! Do stop him!" cried Gwen, "He's running away!"

"I _cant_!" screamed Max. "First he wouldn't go, and now he won't
stop!"

The procession halted, and a big boy sprang forward, endeavoring to
snatch at the bridle.

The intention was good, but the donkey, maddened that anyone should
try to stop him, shied, and the boy and girl were hurled out upon the
sand.

Max turned a complete somersault and came up on his feet, declaring
himself unhurt, but Gwen took an entirely different view of the
matter.

She was not hurt, but her temper was decidedly ruffled.

"Well, I declare!" she cried, "I do think everyone is horrid, but I
think Max is just a _little_ horrider than the rest!"

"Why, Gwen, he did his best to stop, but the donkey just wouldn't,"
said Sprite.

"Well, I wouldn't have been spilled if I hadn't been riding with Max,
would I?" cried Gwen. "Something always happens when I go anywhere
with Max. Funny I don't ever remember it. Just as soon as something's
happened, away I go somewhere else with him."

Gwen could not imagine why they all laughed.

Meanwhile the donkey having run as far as he cared to, stood far down
the beach, looking out across the waves, as calmly as if he could
stand there for hours. Indeed one could hardly think that he was the
same little beast that, a short time before, had bolted so furiously.

Captain Atherton, who had left the crowd, and quietly followed Neddy,
now quickly approached him. He made no attempt to escape, but instead,
allowed himself to be led as gently as if he really preferred to go
that way.

Very meek he looked, as with the Captain's firm hand on the bridle, he
approached the crowd that had watched him when he ran wildly along the
beach.

Max was more than willing to clamber into