THE FANTASIES OF FERNS 



211 



the slow oxen with the usual contradictory native 

 jargon. 



"If 'gee!' means go, and 'haw!' means stop," 

 whispered Flower Hat, "what does 'gee-haw!' sig- 

 nify to the poor oxen ? Possibly to do both at 



once, which order they obey as best they can by 

 their halting gait." 



Time o' Year gave us a cheerful greeting, 

 started to speak, hesitated, and while he did so 

 the load passed by and continued its creaking way 

 up hill. 



The old man had an anxious look upon his 



