BILL Y-BO Y AND BELLI: . , 5 



to the end of this, a blind road, foot?" -which 1 accepted as quite 



blocked by a farm-house, flanked on ungallant from a Q. B. on last year's 



the right by a field of oat-stubble, on team. Old Jerry needed but a glance, 



the left by a government swamp of and soon had me in position on my 



tamarack. We waited in this horri- mount, observing, as he arrange d my 



ble wood where the army-worm was skirt : 



at work. The branches, bared of " Indade, ma'am, whin ()i was wid 



leaves, were clothed instead with the gintry in the ould country, it's 



these loathesome caterpillars which many a foine miss Oi put into the 



fairly rained down upon us sounding saddle; and sich illegant bastes to 



like great plashing drops in a sum- ride!" 



mer shower. Furthermore, we were I faced the machine ; Billy-boy 



entertained by a blue-jay, whose throwing back his ears snorted his 



stridulous notes seemed to come disapproval and began to back. Coax- 



from a metallic throat with a crack ing was entirely ineffectual. 



in it. Again the voice of the ma- Phil, was really alarmed. " Mrs. 



chine became audible. We guessed B., I beg of you don't ride him; let 



it was just passing; then we com- the man handle him." But I pre- 



mented on the fact that the wood so ferred to handle my high horse; and 



long retained the sound. Billy-boy taking a firm grip of snaffle and curb 



was uneasy. A man coming from reins, simultaneously gave him a 



the house, let down the bars, and sa- smarting cut from the right and dug 



luted us. W 7 e explained our presence, my heel into him from the left. He 



and this is what we heard : sprang, cleared the low bars into the 



" Sorry it is, me leddy, that Oi am wood lane, and — we were off. 

 to inform yees that Kent's trashin- Through the wood, the low brandies 

 michane intinds to coom this same tearing off my veil; through ant-hills 

 day to trash thim oats; and me wo- and flying sticks, out to the man) 

 man's that fightin-mad, bein's the road and down the hill, on we gal- 

 roast pork's waitin' this while for loped without cessation. Now I 

 their dinners. Sure it's after yees." must admit that, despite loss of 



The machine was in sight. Fancy breath, and strain of nerves, to keep 

 our being chased right up and a firm rein, I enjoyed the exhilaration 

 brought to bay, with but one road of this wild ride; was even tempted 

 and that occupied ! We made straight to give him his head and see to what 

 for the barn, where I dismounted until speed he could attain — and oh, if I 

 the thing could locate itself and be- only dared complete this gypsy - 

 come quiet. Of course the time came dream by throwing away my burden- 

 when I must pass it, but, fortunately, some hat, and letting the breeze take 

 I had plenty of room. To Phil., who my hair. Then again, at the last 

 wished to lead him, I suggested — turn, where instead of following the 

 "If you'll kindly assist me to curve, he swept sharply across the 

 mount." He quickly responded, corner and cleared a ditch, I won- 

 then hesitated, looking blankly at me. dered if this could be anything like 



"Tell me the rules, Mrs. B., I'm riding to hounds, 



ashamed to say I don't know exactly!' My good imagination always sen es 



" By me loife, yoong man," inter- when the real purpose is not at 



posed old Jerry, " thin it's rale pleas- hand; but alas ! with my thought 



ure Oi'll take in givin' yees insthruc- and the horse's leap had come another 



tions. Clasp the ball of her fut, the uprising — a young porker, from the 



lift wan, betwixt yer two hands, and leaves in the ditch, whence it had 



whin she says wan, two, three — been disturbed from its siesta. I his 



riddy ! jist hoist her roight up-loike, brought my horse from a hill gallop 



but a-i-s-y an' graceful-loike." to an almost complete stop, nearly 



Phil, looked doubtful. "I'm famil- unseating me. 1 came down into the 



iar with foot-ball, but— the ball of the saddle quite hard and suddenly, just 



