CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
DUMMY TURNS STUNT.
Dummy Rugg caught the pony, after seeing that his young mistress was unhurt at Master Rayburn's cottage; and, perfectly calm now, the girl insisted upon remounting, the old man opposing her, until Dummy gave him a curious look or two, and a nod of the head.
"And there is no need whatever for you to go up home with me, Master Rayburn," she said.

"It is all uphill now, and the pony will not run away again." "Very well, Mistress Obstinacy," said the old man, smiling and patting her cheek, before helping her on the pony; "but I feel as if I ought to see you home safely." "There is no need, indeed," cried the girl.

"Goodbye, and thank you.
I'm afraid I frightened you." "You did, my child, terribly.

More than you frightened yourself.

I was afraid that the little girl who used to ask for rides on _my_ foot would be killed." "But it was only a gallop, Master Rayburn," said the girl, leaning forward to receive the old man's kiss.