But Caliph liked Chicken Little, and not having any skirts to make him suspicious, seemed inclined to take her for what she seemed. He noticed only that he had a lighter hand on the reins. He dashed off as lightly and smoothly as if Ernest or Sherm were on his back, and Chicken Little was in a transport of pleasure and triumph to think she could ride him.

Katy had a harder time, but she stuck on pluckily for three turns up and down the lane.

They didn't dare linger too long lest some neighbor come by and see them. So they presently turned off upon the faint track that led through the gate into the orchard. Gertie was awaiting them under the big tree.

Katy slipped off Calico to give Gertie her turn. Chicken Little led the way on Caliph and they went round and round the tree, faster and faster, till both were ready for a rest. The ponies were fresh and seemed to enjoy the sport as much as they did.

Katy tried Calico next, enchanted to find she could stick on at a canter. By this time they were ready for something new.

"Do you suppose we could ride backwards?" Katy was in a daring mood.

They could and they did, though Calico was a little doubtful as to whether he approved of this innovation. It was not exactly comfortable for anyone concerned and they soon gave it up. But when Chicken Little tried to make the intelligent pony dance on his hind legs, Calico waxed indignant. Instead of rising gracefully, he gave two short, plunging leaps, descending with forelegs rigid and head down, a maneuver which sent his mistress flying over his head.

The turf was soft and she was up in a trice, gripping Calico's rein before he could make use of his freedom. The crowning feat of the morning was another of Chicken Little's brilliant ideas. They had tethered the ponies by their bridle reins and were letting them graze on the orchard gra.s.s while they stretched out and rested. Suddenly Jane sat up with a start and began to take off her shoes.

"What on earth are you going to do now, Jane Morton?" demanded Katy sharply.

"Wait and see. I'm most sure I can. I want you to lead Calico very slowly."

Katy obediently followed directions. Chicken Little put her hand on the girth and vaulted on his back. She rode once around the tree tamely, then slowly got to her feet on Calico's slim back, bidding Katy steady her. She succeeded in going about three feet with this precarious footing before she lost her balance and slid harmlessly down on the pony's back. Calico did not look specially pleased at the jounce she gave him as she lit. She persevered until she could go round the tree, then insisted upon trying it alone. Katy and Gertie both remonstrated.

"You'll get killed! Calico doesn't like it a bit."

"I won't--I tried once all by myself last summer on old Kit, but Calico's harder, because he isn't so fat. You wouldn't hurt me, would you, Calico?" She put her arm around his neck and squeezed him hard.

Calico whinnied and began to nose her for sugar. She produced two lumps, and stroked him, talking to him in whispers while Katy hooted.

"A lot of good that will do."

Chicken Little got up again with Katy's help, then started off slowly by herself. Calico moved carefully at a snail's pace. She made the entire circuit of the tree successfully this time. Again she went around, increasing the speed of Calico's walk. She was so jubilant she grew reckless and clucked, which was Calico's signal to canter. He responded promptly and with equal promptness, she slid down on him kerplunck.

Calico laid back his ears in disapproval, and looked around inquiringly.

By this time Katy had plucked up her courage and wished to try it. She was entirely willing, however, to have Chicken Little at the pony's head. Katy slipped, too, but she was lighter, and Calico was growing used to it and did not mind so much. Chicken Little patted him each time and he soon ceased to notice the b.u.mps. Gertie preferred to be a spectator at this stunt, but the others persisted until Jane succeeded in going round the tree once with Calico pacing.

"Golly, I wish Ernest and Sherm could see us!" Chicken Little was already sighing for new worlds to conquer.

"You said Golly again."

"Golly, I did, didn't I? It's awfully hard to quit anything like that.

Say, I want you girls to pinch me every time I say it, then I'll remember."

"You'll get mad if we do," replied Gertie, wise beyond her years.

"No, I won't! Honest to goodness I won't. I truly want to stop it."

"All right," said Katy firmly, "but you will get more pinches than you are expecting."

Katy and Gertie and poor Calico were all ready to settle down for a rest. But Chicken Little was burning to show off before Ernest and Sherm. She untied Caliph and took several turns around the tree, going faster and faster.

"Pooh," she said after a while, "I bet I could ride Caliph anywhere.

Suppose we go meet the boys. You and Gertie can both ride Calico bare back. I guess they'll be surprised. It's most noon; I can tell by the sun."

"But Jane, we can't go to meet the boys this way." Gertie looked distressed.

"Oh, I forgot. What can we do? I'd be afraid to ride Caliph with even a short skirt--he's never had a woman on him before."

"What if the boys do see us? n.o.body else is likely to come along just at noon. Anyway, your father thinks it's dangerous for girls to wear long skirts to ride in. I heard him say so." Katy was plausible and Chicken Little wanted to be persuaded.

"I don't care, if you don't."

"All right, let's do it. I think you look real nice that way, Chicken Little, honest I do."

"Well, they're heaps more comfortable. I feel so light. You make an awfully cute boy, Katy, and Gertie is just sweet. And you couldn't ride bare back half so well sidewise."

It took some persuasion to secure Gertie's consent, but she finally gave in.

They rode gaily out into the lane. Calico was too tired to make any protest to his double burden. Once in the lane, they waited in the shade. But the boys did not come. They waited until Jane was sure it must be one o'clock and their appet.i.tes suggested two at the very earliest. Calico waited patiently enough, but Caliph was uneasy over the flies. Finally, they decided to give the boys up and go back and have their picnic alone.

"We might take one gallop down the line to the creek to make sure they're not in the meadow," Katy suggested.

"I bet they finished the weeds sooner than they expected and went fishing." Chicken Little strained her eyes in the direction of the meadow.

They started the horses off at a smart pace, then faster and faster, till they broke into a swift gallop.

"Isn't it glorious?" Chicken Little called back. She was several lengths ahead.

She did not hear Katy's response. A jack rabbit, frightened by the approaching horses, broke cover from some wild blackberry bushes that grew over the stone wall, and dashed across the road directly in front of Caliph. The spirited beast shied violently, then leaped forward, throwing Chicken Little neatly off into the exact middle of the dusty lane. Her pride was more hurt than she was. She tried to stop him by calling "Whoa" l.u.s.tily. But Caliph seemed to have a pressing engagement elsewhere. He quickly disappeared around a bend in the lane.

The girls looked at each other in dismay.

Chicken Little got hastily to her feet. There was no time to nurse bruises. She must catch Caliph somehow.

"Golly, he's got that beautiful Mexican saddle on and he may take a notion to roll. I knew I hadn't any business to take it, but I wanted to ride him just as Ernest does."

Katy and Gertie noticed the "Golly," but there seemed to be more important business on hand.

"Do you suppose you could take Calico and catch him?" asked Katy anxiously.

"I don't know, but I guess I'll have to try."

Katy and Gertie climbed down and Chicken Little swung herself up.

"Maybe one of you'd better come, too, to hold Calico and ride him home if I catch Caliph."

"I'll come, and Gertie had better run and change her clothes and go back to the orchard to give the boys their lunch, if they come before we get back. Don't tell them where we're gone."

"Nor about Caliph, Gertie, you can say we'll be back in a minute."

Katy had mounted behind Jane while she was giving this last direction and poor Calico started off at a gallop. They crossed the creek and came to the place where the road forked just beyond the timber without seeing hide or hair of Caliph.