(Return 



pocket. " Well, Midget, it is too bad. Really, I 

 was not expecting to see you, and I have n't a 

 single salted peanut, but if you will just allow me 

 to ride this long thirteen miles into Alma, I 

 will give you all the salted peanuts that you will 

 be allowed to eat. I am tired, and should very 

 much like to have a ride. Will you take me ? " 

 She at once started to paw the snowy trail with 

 a small fore foot, as much as to say, " Hurry up ! " 

 I took off my snowshoes, and without waiting 

 to fasten them on my back, jumped into the sad- 

 dle. In a surprisingly short time, and with loud 

 stamping on the floor, Midget carried me into 

 the livery barn at Alma. 



When her owner saw a man in the saddle, he 

 was angry, and reminded me that it was unfair 

 and illegal to capture a return horse ; but when 

 he recognized me, he at once changed his tone, 

 and he became friendly when I told him that 

 Midget had invited me to ride. He said that as 

 she had invited me to ride I should have to pay the 

 damages to her. I told him that we had already 

 agreed to this. " But how in thunder did you 

 catch her ? " he asked. " Yesterday Pat O'Brien 



127 



