; do now!" cried
the child.

Tom Smith was a good-natured lad, and was in no hurry; so he said, "Yes,
I'll catch thee a pony, and thou shalt have a ride, little one, that
thou shalt." The blind pony was very soon caught, and the halter put
over his head. "There, Tiny Paul, jump up now, and thee shalt have a
fine ride," said Tom Smith. Tiny Paul caught hold of the long mane, and
Tom Smith helped him up by the leg, till he had a firm seat.

"Now let Tiny Paul go,--he ride alone," said the child. Tom Smith,
thinking no harm could come to the little fellow, let go the halter.

"I say, Tom, keep near the pony's head; the child has no notion of
guiding him," cried Sam.

"Oh yes, grandfather, Tiny Paul ride like huntsman in red coat," cried
the child, kicking at the pony's sides, and making him trot by the old
man.

"Now Tiny Paul make pony gallop," said the child, hitting the animal
with its halter, and urging it on by his voice and heels. Off set the
pony; Tiny Paul laughed, and waved his hand to his grandfather.

Tom Smith, instead of following the pony, stopped to speak to the old
man.

For an instant Sam's eyes were off the child.

"Why where is the pony going?" exclaimed Sam, looking up.

The pony was making directly for the big pond.

"Stop him, Paul; stop him, tiny Paul. Pull at the halter, child,"
shrieked the old man. "Run after him, Tom; run for your life. Oh
mercy! Oh mercy! he'll be into the water!"

Tom ran as fast as his legs could carry him.

Tiny Paul, though he did not see his danger, pulled at the halter as he
was bid; but the old pony's mouth was too tough to feel the rope in it,
and on he went, pleased to have somebody on his back again. It made him
think of the days when he had corn to eat, and hay without the trouble
of picking it up.

Tom Smith ran, and ran, and shouted to the pony to stop; but his foot
went into a drain, and down he came. He jumped up, though he had hurt
his leg, and ran on. The pony was close to the pond, which was full of
weeds. He was ten yards still behind.

"Stop! stop!" cried Tom.

"Oh stop, stop! mercy! mercy! mercy!" shrieked old Sam, who was hobbling
on as fast as his sticks would let him move.

The pony reached the edge. In he plunged. Tiny Paul clung to his mane,
but cried out with fear.

The blind pony waded on, for the water was not at first deep. Tom
jumped in, but soon got his legs caught by the weeds; and then the pony
began to swi