CHARLEY 361 



and great was his relief to see that naughty animal having 

 breakfast at the edge of the stream, looking as if no idea 

 of running away had ever occurred to him ! But he was 

 still inclined for a game, for when his master, after a 

 hasty meal of coffee and biscuit, came down to the stream 

 to catch him, Charley danced about a little more, taking 

 care just to keep out of reach. 



At last Catlin thought he would try what a trick 

 would do, and flinging the skins round his own body, and 

 the saddle over his back, he began to walk away. For a 

 quarter of a mile he tramped on steadily without once 

 looking round, then he took a hasty glance over his 

 shoulder. Charley was standing quite still near the 

 fire, which was still burning, watching his master. 

 Suddenly he went straight up to the place where Catlin 

 had slept, and finding nothing there, threw up his head 

 and neighed loudly. In another moment something 

 rushed wildly past Catlin, who was walking steadily on, 

 and, wheeling sharply round, stood trembling before him. 



Catlin took care not to do anything which might 

 startle the penitent, and called him gently by his name. 

 But Charley had had a fright, too, and had no longer any 

 wish to play with his master. So when Catlin drew 

 near him with the bridle in his hand, he actually bent 

 his head to receive it, and remained perfectly quiet while 

 the saddle was being fastened on his back. 



All through that day they journeyed on over the 

 prairie, with its endless waves of flowery grass, and late 

 in the afternoon arrived at a beautiful little valley, where 

 Catlin determined to pass the night — and this time he 

 determined he would run no risks with Charley. A clear 

 stream ran through a smooth lawn, and in the stream were 

 fish, and on it was a brood of fine young ducks. Large 

 trees were dotted over the smooth grass, and between the 

 wild plum and cherry trees laden with fruit hung vines 

 bearing clusters of purple grapes. Underneath, the ground 

 was bright with sunflowers and sweet with lilies and violets. 



