on together; but except laying her ears back
when I was led up to her, she behaved very well. She did her work
honestly, and did her full share, and I never wish to have a better
partner in double harness. When we came to a hill, instead of slackening
her pace, she would throw her weight right into the collar, and pull
away straight up. We had both the same sort of courage at our work, and
John had oftener to hold us in than to urge us forward; he never had to
use the whip with either of us; then our paces were much the same, and I
found it very easy to keep step with her when trotting, which made it
pleasant, and master always liked it when we kept step well, and so did
John. After we had been out two or three times together we grew quite
friendly and sociable, which made me feel very much at home.

[Illustration]

As for Merrylegs, he and I soon became great friends; he was such a
cheerful, plucky, good-tempered little fellow, that he was a favorite
with every one, and especially with Miss Jessie and Flora, who used to
ride him about in the orchard, and have fine games with him and their
little dog Frisky.

CHAPTER VI

MERRYLEGS

Mr. Blomefield, the vicar, had a large family of boys and girls;
sometimes they used to come and play with Miss Jessie and Flora. One of
the girls was as old as Miss Jessie; two of the boys were older, and
there were several little ones. When they came, there was plenty of work
for Merrylegs, for nothing pleased them so much as getting on him by
turns and riding him all about the orchard and the home paddock, and
this they would do by the hour together.

One afternoon he had been sent out with them a long time, and when James
brought him in and put on his halter, he said: "There, you rogue, mind
how you behave yourself, or we shall get into trouble."

"What have you been doing, Merrylegs?" I asked.

"Oh!" said he, tossing his little head, "I have only been giving those
young people a lesson; they did not know when they had enough, so I just
pitched them off backwards; that was the only thing they could
understand."

"What?" said I, "you threw the children off? I thought you did know
better than that! Did you throw Miss Jessie or Miss Flora?"

[Illustration]

He looked very much offended, and said: "Of course not; I would not do
such a thing for the best oats that ever came into the stable; why, I am
as careful of our young ladies as the master could be, and as for the
l