Page 38 - A Little Bush Maid

of what was in the wind, and were dancing with impatience.

"Now then, Norah,"--Jim flung a laughing look over his shoulder--"no
cribbing there!"

"T’m not!" came an indignant voice.

"All right--don’t! Ready every one? Then--go!" As the word "Go" left Jim’s
lips the four ponies sprang forward sharply, and a moment later were in full

gallop over the soft springy turf. Tt was an ideal place for a race--clear
ground, covered with short soft grass, well eaten off by the sheep--no trees
to bar the way, and over all a sky of the brightest blue, flecked by tiny,

fleecy cloudlets.

They tore over the paddock, shouting at the ponies laughing, hurling
defiance at each other. At first Harry kept his lead; but weight will tell, and
presently Wally was almost level with him, with Jim not far behind. Bobs

had not gone too well at first--he was too excited to get thoroughly into his
stride, and had spent his time in dancing when he should have been making

up his handicap.

When, however, he did condescend to gallop, the distance that separated

him from the other ponies was rapidly overhauled. Norah, leaning forward
in her stirrups, her face alight with eagerness, urged him on with voice and

hand--she rarely, if ever touched him with a whip at any time. Quickly she
gained on the others; now Harry was caught and passed, even as Jim caught
Wally and deprived him of the lead he had gaily held for some time. Wally

shouted laughing abuse at him, flogging his pony on the while.

Now Norah was neck and neck with Wally, and slowly she drew past him
and set sail after Jim. That she could beat him she knew very well, but the
question was, was there time to catch him? The big tree which formed the

winning post was very near now. "Scoot, Bobsie, dear!" whispered Norah
unconscious of the fact that she was saying anything unmaidenly. At any

rate, Bobs understood, for he went forward with a bound. They were nearly
level with Jim now--Wally, desperately flogging, close in the rear.