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The Tea-Party 185

[Illustration]

[Illustration: LOOK OUT FOR THE ENGINE!]

LOOK OUT FOR THE ENGINE!

[Illustration: S]ALLY and Bob were making a bonfire in the woods. They
had come to spend the whole day, and had brought their dinner in a
basket; and Carlo, their little dog, kept watch of it while they
gathered sticks and leaves.

They soon had a large pile heaped up in the middle of the road which led
through the forest. "For," said Bob, "we must make the fire where it
won't do any mischief."

When all was ready, Bob lighted a match, and tucked it under the leaves.
Then, getting down on his knees, he puffed and blew with his mouth,
until first there rose a tiny stream of smoke; then a little flame crept
out; and, in a moment more, the pile was blazing merrily.

The children got some large stones, and sat down on them to warm their
hands; for Sally said her nose and fingers were so cold, she was sure
Jack Frost must be somewhere around. They could not make Carlo come near
the fire: he was afraid of it, it crackled and sputtered so. He liked
better to lie under the bushes near the dinner-basket.

"What a splendid bonfire!" said Bob.

"Yes," said Sally; "but don't you wish we had some nice apples to roast
in the coals?"

Just as she said this, they heard the whistle of a locomotive away in
the distance. "Look out for the engine!" shouted Bob, jumping up. "Let's
run and see the cars go by."

Away they ran down the road, to the edge of the woods, and climbed up on
the fence. By leaning over, they could look far up the track, and watch
the train come thundering down. First only a black speck was in sight;
then the great lantern in front of the locomotive glittered in the sun;
and soon the train was rushing by.

Bob balanced himself on the top rail, and shouted, "Hurrah!" Sally
screamed, "Good-by, good-by!" at the top of her voice; and Carlo
bristled up his hair, and barked loudly, wondering all the time what
this strange creature could be, which made such a racket, and ran faster
than he could.

The people in the cars heard the noise, and looked out to see where it
came from. They saw a boy without his jacket perched on a fence, waving
his hat; a little girl by his side, laughing so hard that she showed all
her teeth; and a funny little yellow dog yelping with all his might:
that was all. But they thought it a pretty picture, and opened the
car-wi