The School, Well-digging, and a Picnic 



and even we outsiders caught some of the en- 

 thusiasm that filled the pubUc-spirited trustees 

 and their secretary-treasurer. 



A shout from Billy recalled us to the well. 

 " She's going through, boys," said he, and the 

 bucket rose dripping. " Five feet and rising 

 fast," said Billy. There was a murmur of satis- 

 faction, for all knew the boring tool had gone 

 through the clay bed and released the water 

 below. 



Once more the bucket came up, and the wet 

 rod told us there was now about eight feet of 

 water in the new well, so it was arranged to con- 

 tinue another fifteen feet, if possible, to ensure 

 a good supply, and stop at that. 



There was to be a picnic near the site of the 

 new school in a day or two, and our friends 

 invited us to put up with them and lend a hand 

 till it was over, and as there was nothing more 

 to be done on Tom's homestead just now, we 

 decided to do so. 



We had brought Nancy, and so had all our 

 animals with us. We had her tethered near 

 the house, and one morning were delighted to 

 find a beautiful little foal standing by her side. 

 Fortunately, all had gone well, though in such 

 circumstances a mare is better loose, and usually 

 requires but little attention. 



105 



