I felt like one of the monkeys at the 

 circus that are strapped on the pony's 

 backs the pommel alone saved me 

 and my self-respect. 



But we got out without further 

 mishap, and after Katy had caught 

 up with old Billy, three horses ahead, 

 and told in a neigh or two all 

 about it, she carried my tired bones 

 to camp in tranquillity. 



Camp! Oh, the sweetness and 

 peace of that nook in the mountain 

 meadow, rich with grass for the 

 horses, the snow peaks far above, the 

 right breeze blowing, the intimate 

 little brook, fringed with willows, 

 gurgling in front of our tents, a grove 

 of great pines standing sentinel, and 

 far above the twinkling sky of night. 



"Alas, poor Easterners, who wot 

 not of this life," murmured Sally, 

 after dinner, snuggling luxuriously on 

 a pile of rugs before the camp-fire, 

 weary but happy. 



"Talk about fireworks," answered 

 Bobbie, nursing a bruised foot, " Hoo- 

 ray for a glorious Fourth! " 



