Part 12 (2/2)

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”Bobby felt happy and grand. Prince felt happy and grand”]

”I can ride as well as John or Sue,” thought Bobby. ”I'll show Father I can.”

Up and down, up and down, he bounded as Prince trotted along.

Prince was enjoying it too.

”I'll give Bobby a good ride,” he thought. And he arched his neck and trotted proudly up the lane.

Bobby felt happy and grand.

Prince felt happy and grand.

Now along the sides of the lane, there were thistle patches; and in one place near the head of the lane, there was a low stone pile with thistles growing up between the stones.

Bobby always kept away from thistle patches when he was barefoot.

They had gotten almost to the head of the lane, when Prince began to trot faster. Bobby bounded up and down higher than ever, his bare feet hitting the horse's sides at every step.

And then, the first thing he knew, he began to slide off.

”Whoa! whoa!” he shouted.

He grabbed a piece of the harness and tried to hold on, but at every step Prince took he slid farther.

”Whoa! whoa!” he shouted again.

Prince slowed up, but it was too late. He turned his head just in time to see Bobby tumble to the ground. Then he stopped stock still.

Down on the stones and the thistles Bobby fell.

This was bad enough, but then he rolled against Prince's hind foot, a little stunned by the fall.

Father saw Bobby fall and ran toward him, thinking as he ran, ”Oh, what if Prince steps on Bobby or kicks him?”

And Father ran faster than he had ever run before.

But there Prince stood and kept his foot as still as still could be, until Father came and pulled Bobby away. Then Prince started on to the barn.

”Are you hurt?” asked Father.

”Not much,” replied Bobby, as he rubbed his bruises.

Father helped him get the thistles out of his bare feet and legs. There were sixteen.

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