ll, you wouldn't want a half one, would you, Miss Babcock? Nor one
that wasn't living?" demanded Monty, laughing. "Quit crying and let's
choose, for that's what Leslie said we were to do. Is that correct, Mr.
Ford?"

"Entirely. But--see to it that your choice falls each on a different
animal! Suppose you begin, alphabetically. Alfaretta first."

Such a group of radiant faces as now peered over the paling! while
without a second's hesitation, Alfaretta announced:

"I choose that pure white one for mine!"

"All right. Captain Lem, lead out Blanca and put on her side saddle,"
directed Mr. Ford.

A passage was opened in the paling and the beautiful Blanca was led
forth, amid a murmur of admiration from everybody, except the girl
herself. She could only stand, clasping and unclasping her hands, and
gazing with dim eyes at this wonderful possession. The handsome saddle
cloth was marked Blanca, and Mr. Ford explained that each animal was
registered and its name had been chosen by its breeder. Most of these
names were Spanish and suited well; as that Blanca meant "white," which
the gentle little mare certainly was. To another corner of the saddle
cloth, Captain Lem slowly attached the initial "A," as mark of
ownership, then beckoned to Alfy that she should mount.

All her mates watched her curiously, expecting to see her timid and
reluctant. She treated them to a fine surprise; first by running to Lady
Gray and rapturously kissing her hand, then returning to Lemuel, and
letting him swing her up to the saddle, without an instant's hesitation.
Dorothy stared, amazed; but she needn't have done so: Alfy was "her
mother's daughter" as the saying goes, and inherited that good woman's
love of horseflesh and fearlessness; and as she settled herself and
received the bridle reins she kept murmuring the marvellous fact:

"A whole horse--mine! And Ma Babcock's only got Barnaby!"

"Who is 'Barnaby,' Alfy?" asked Leslie, going round to her side and
critically inspecting her treasure.

"Oh--he--Why, he's a mule!"

A shout of laughter greeted this announcement and Lemuel moved away. He
was disappointed that the beautiful Blanca had not fallen to Dorothy's
share, for he believed the white filly to be the best as well as the
handsomest creature in the corral. However, her turn was next, and he
listened anxiously to hear what it might be. He wished she wouldn't be
so over-generous in offering the choice to her mates, and in saying
tha