He had a pretty little Cayuse pony which he used to ride; one day after school he caused it to be brought to the school-house, and, setting Gretchen upon it, he led it by the mane up the trail toward her home, a number of the pupils following them.

On the way the merry-making party met Mrs.Woods.She was as astonished as though she had encountered an elephant, and there came into her face a look of displeasure and anger.
"What kind of doings are these, I would like to know ?" she exclaimed, in a sharp tone, standing in the middle of the way and scanning every face.
"Riding out with an Injun, Gretchen, are you?
That's what you are doing.
Girl, get off that horse and come with me! That is the kind of propriety that they teach out in these parts, is it?
and the master came from Harvard College, too! One would think that this world was just made to enjoy one's self in, just like a sheep pasture, where the lambs go hopping and skipping, not knowing that they were born to be fleeced." She hurried Gretchen away excitedly, and the school turned back.

Benjamin was disappointed, and looked more hurt than ever before.

On the way he met his old father, who had come out to look for him, and the rest of the scholars dispersed to their homes.
That evening, after a long, vivid twilight, such as throws its splendor over the mountain ranges in these northern latitudes, Mrs.Woods and Gretchen were sitting in their log-house just within the open door.

Mr.
Woods was at the block-house at Walla Walla, and the cabin was unprotected.