Part 16 (2/2)

”Don't let the theed at their chains the boy was forced from a hobble into a trot, and then, before the doctor could help, he caught one foot in the tough herbage, tripped, went down, and was dragged a yard or two, and then, with a rush and tree off the bank into deep water, to be towed here and there by the delighted ani to tangle their chains in a worse knot than before--to wit, round Nic

But after the first few an to wade back, finding it easier to s in the water than out

”Well, that's a nice beginning, Nic!” said the doctor

”Isn't it horrid?” cried the boy

”Wet?” said his father laconically ”There, ittheon and tie theet the down to pat the dripping heads ”There!

you've had asor two at the chains brought the dogs out, to let the water drops froy hides, after which they broke out into a duet of barks, and danced about on the bank, wagging their tails, evidently inviting Nic to cast sticks into the water for theh, with the horses behind the their heads to bite playfully at the collies' waving tails

”You can get at your ports were secured ”Get out so-room behind the tree”

All this the boy proceeded to do, and by the tied he felt none the worse for his involuntary bath, and hung his wrung-out garon-tilt to dry

This done, he obeyed his father's su with a basket of provisions, which Lady O'Hara had provided for their use, while the two , the black standing on one leg a short distance away, resting upon his spear and holding the sole of his right foot flat against his left knee so as to forle And every now and then one of the ht deftly and proceeded to eat

”Just as if he were a dog,” thought Nic, as he sat down by his father and began his _al fresco_ dinner

And how good it was! He forgot all about the stiffness in his legs in the pure enjoyment of those mo was so gloriously new and fresh The beautiful land stretched undulating right away to the blue-tinted mountains, the water-pool sparkled in the sunshi+ne, the horses and cattle grazed in the thick rich grass, and the waggon helped to forainst a clump of shrubs, half-covered with yelloers, while a delicious scent of musk filled the air

Never had repast tasted so delicious; and, with two exceptions, every living creature see of this enjoyment in the midst of the peaceful repose in that lovely spot The exceptions were the dogs, which kept on watching therass in which they stood was not to their taste

Nic went on eating in silence for a fewa loaf in two, rose and went off to the dogs, which readily attacked the bread, a long diet of biscuit on board shi+p having etarian in their tastes

The doctor nodded approval as Nic returned wondering whether he would receive a reproof, and the wayside meal went on till the doctor spoke

”Well, Nic,” he said, ”how do you like the beginning of your rough life?”

”It's glorious, father,” cried the boy eagerly

”Hu, and this --no table-cloth, no chairs or table?”

”Oh, I like it”

”Because it's new and the sun shi+nes?”

”I know that the sun doesn't always shi+ne, father,” cried Nic ”I shall like it, I know”

”That's right But look: here coes at ho to his feet, and he walked out froaze excitedly at a flock of white birds that carove, but the sudden appearance of the boy -place farther on, and Nic returned disappointed