Some had large rich blossoms and he admired their beauty.
His eyes wandered back from the forest to their new friend, the horse.
Besides being an animal of utility the horse added to their comradeship.
Ned felt that he still had a friend with him, although Obed was away.
Obed had spoken truly.

It was a fine horse, a bay, tall, strong and young, grazing with dignified content, at the end of a lariat about forty feet in length.
Ned watched the horse idly, and soon he saw him raise his head, stand perfectly still for a moment or two, and then sniff the wind.

The next instant an extraordinary manifestation came from him.

He whirled about and galloped so fast to the end of his tether that he was thrown down by the sharp jerk.

He regained his feet and stood there, trembling all over.