pony and carry all those things, do you?"
he asked Johnnie. "It seems to me that a basket, a tin can, a fish pole
and a boy would ride much better in the buggy than horseback."

Now, Johnnie Green did not always agree with his father. He expected to
meet some other boys at the creek. They were going on horseback. And
Johnnie wanted to do likewise. Besides, there might be a horseback race.
And he didn't want to miss that.

"I don't want to bother with the buggy," he told his father. "This way's
easier. I shan't have any trouble carrying these things."

"Suit yourself, then!" said Farmer Green. "I think my way's better. But
if you want to try yours, go ahead! You won't be half as comfortable,
though, as you would be if you went in the buggy. And you know you may
have some fish to carry, too, when you come home."

"Yes!" said Johnnie. "But I won't have any lunch."

Being determined to ride on Twinkleheels' back, he buckled the saddle
girth and slipped on the pony's bridle. Then he led him out of the barn,
clutched the basket, the tin pail, and the reins as well in one hand,
mounted, and then reached out his other hand for the pole, which he had
leaned against the side of the barn.

"I'll show Father that he's mistaken," he said to himself.

XXIV

BOYS WILL BE BOYS

Up to the moment that Johnnie Green reached out a hand for the long fish
pole Twinkleheels had behaved like a little gentleman. He saw that
something unusual was afoot. And feeling quite sure that it was some
kind of fun, he was glad that he was going to have a part in it.

"I hope Johnnie has some oats for me in that basket," he thought.

Just then Johnnie caught up the pole.

"Oats and corn!" Twinkleheels exclaimed. "What's he going to do with
that enormous whip?" He was so startled that he jumped sideways, and
Johnnie Green all but lost his seat on Twinkleheels' back. As he lurched
in the saddle he brought the fish pole smartly against Twinkleheels'
head.

"I won't stand this," Twinkleheels decided. "I don't see what Johnnie is
thinking of, to beat me over the head. I've certainly done nothing to
deserve such treatment." Thereupon he dashed madly across the farmyard
and made for the orchard.

"Whoa!" cried Johnnie Green.

"Whoa!" cried his father. "Stop him! Hang to him! Don't let him run!"

"He'll have to drop that great whip if he expects me to mind,"
Twinkleheels said with a snort.

Johnnie's hands were so full of a number of