My Boyhood and Youth 



as if he had known Scotch boys all his life; 

 probably because we were about as wild as 

 young Indians. 



One day when father happened to have a 

 little leisure, he said, "Noo, bairns, rin doon 

 the meadow and get your powny and learn 

 to ride him." So we led him out to a smooth 

 place near an Indian mound back of the 

 shanty, where father directed us to begin. 

 I mounted for the first memorable lesson, 

 crossed the mound, and set out at a slow 

 walk along the wagon-track made in hauling 

 lumber; then father shouted: "Whup him up, 

 John, whup him up ! Make him gallop ; gallopin* 

 is easier and better than walkin' or trottin'." 

 Jack was willing, and away he sped at a good 

 fast gallop. I managed to keep my balance 

 fairly well by holding fast to the mane, but 

 could not keep from bumping up and down, for 

 I was plump and elastic and so was Jack; 

 therefore about half of the time I was in 

 the air. 



After a quarter of a mile or so of this curi- 

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