(& QUounfain $ony 



OUR stage in the San Juan Mountains had 

 just gained the top of the grade when an 

 alert, riderless pony trotted into view on a 

 near-by ridge. Saddled and bridled, she was 

 returning home down a zigzag trail after carry- 

 ing a rider to a mine up the mountain-side. One 

 look at this trim, spirited "return horse" from 

 across a narrow gorge, and she disappeared be- 

 hind a cliff. 



A moment later she rounded a point of rocks 

 and came down into the road on a gallop. The 

 stage met her in a narrow place. Indifferent to 

 the wild gorge below, she paused unflinchingly 

 on the rim as the brushing stage dashed by. 

 She was a beautiful bay pony. 



"That is Cricket, the wisest return horse in 

 these hills," declared the stage-driver, who pro- 

 ceeded to tell of her triumphant adventures as 

 he drove on into Silverton. When I went to 

 hire Cricket, her owner said that I might use 



169 



