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had the great impudence to roll their little ball of provender within the whittler's

range.

O Eddie!" she cried.

The man looked up, and was at once electrified into action. He sprang to his feet

and whipped off his sombrero. A broad smile illumined his freckled face.

Yes, miss," he answered. "What can I do for you?"

Saddle a pony for me, Eddie," she explained. "I want to take a little ride."

Sure!" he assured her cheerily. "Have it ready in a jiffy," and away he went,

uncoiling his riata, toward the little group of saddle ponies which stood in the

corral against necessity for instant use.

In a couple of minutes he came back leading one, which he tied to the corral

bars.

But I can't ride that horse," exclaimed the girl. "He bucks."

Sure," said Eddie. "I'm a-goin' to ride him."

Oh, are you going somewhere?" she asked.

I'm goin' with you, miss," announced Eddie, sheepishly.

But I didn't ask you, Eddie, and I don't want you--today," she urged.

Sorry, miss," he threw back over his shoulder as he walked back to rope a

second pony; "but them's orders. You're not to be allowed to ride no place without

a escort. 'Twouldn't be safe neither, miss," he almost pleaded, "an' I won't hinder

you none. I'll ride behind far enough to be there ef I'm needed."

Directly he came back with another pony, a sad-eyed, gentle-appearing little

beast, and commenced saddling and bridling the two.

"Will you promise," she asked, after watching him in silence for a time, "that you

will tell no one where I go or whom I see?"

"Cross my heart hope to die," he assured her.

"All right, Eddie, then I'll let you come with me, and you can ride beside me,

instead of behind."

Across the flat they rode, following the windings of the river road, one mile, two,

five, ten. Eddie had long since been wondering what the purpose of so steady a

245

The Mucker