Maggie smiled and said, "Sure. You put me up on Jeannie once, but her back was really bony."

"I might have known," Mom said with a sigh.

"Well, these horses' backs are nice and soft," Dad said. "So how about it?"

"Okay," said Maggie. "But only if we use Molly."

Dad looked surprised. "What difference does it make?"

"Polly is spooky," said Maggie.

"Hmm," said Dad. "You know that already? Well, come on." He got to his feet and so did Maggie.

Mom said, "Corky better stay in the house. He could frighten the horse." She grabbed her barn jacket.

Maggie and her parents went out to the barn. Dad bridled Molly and led her out the door. Polly whinnied frantically and jumped around in her stall. Molly ignored Polly.

"I'll go first," said Dad. "Just to be sure it's safe."

He led Molly to a hay wagon and crawled on from there. He clucked to Molly and rode off. He turned Molly right and left, and they even trotted a little. Dad slid off again.

"This is a good horse," said Dad. "She handles as well as most riding horses. Ready, Maggie?"

Maggie looked up at the huge horse and gulped. "I guess so," she said.

Dad boosted her on, and she looked down. Yipes, it was like being on a tall building that breathed. And Molly's back was so wide that Maggie's legs were doing the splits. She was scared.

"Slide up by her neck," said Dad. "She's not so wide in front."

Maggie slid forward and grabbed a big handful of mane. She felt a little safer, but then Dad led Molly forward a few steps. The whole huge body twisted under Maggie. She held on for dear life.

"Relax," said Dad. "Let your body go with the horse."

Maggie tried, but it was hard. Finally she realized that she hadn't fallen off yet, and let out her breath. She felt sort of proud. Not many kids had ridden a horse this big, she told herself.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

When Dad said it was time to stop, Maggie looked down. It was too far to jump, but Dad grabbed her around the middle and lifted her off.

Just then a green truck drove up hauling a wooden wagon. Dad grinned and waved at the driver of the truck. "That's Larry with the wagon he sold me."

"Good morning," called Larry as he got out of the truck. "That's a mighty nice horse you've got there." His tent-like bib overalls rocked as he considered the horse from every angle.

"Thank you," said Dad. "I'm glad you brought the wagon so I can start driving my team."

Larry turned to Dad. "Ever drive a team before?" he asked.

"Well, not since I was a kid," Dad admitted. "I did more riding than driving, but my grandpa had a team."

"I see," said Larry. "A fellow can get in a lot of trouble with horses if he doesn't know what he's doing."

Dad frowned. "Did you bring the harnesses?"

"Yes," said Larry. "Where do you want them?"

"Follow me," said Dad, and he and Molly led the way to the barn.

Larry brought in a huge armload of straps and buckles and two big leather collars. Then he studied Polly. He said, "This horse is even better than the first one. Let me know if you ever want to sell them."

"Okay," said Dad. "Now let's get that wagon unloaded."

The green pickup was barely out of sight when Dad said, "Girls, let's go for a wagon ride."

Mom looked at him sideways. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"Of course," said Dad. He picked up a harness and dropped it on Molly.

He straightened out the pieces of leather, but then he just stood there for a long time.

"Gosh," Dad said at last. "I think I've forgotten a few of the details." Mom shook her head. "That's what I thought," she said.

"Let's just forget about the ride for today."

Maggie said, "A pony would have been cheaper."

"Never mind," Dad snapped. "Tomorrow I'll go ask Chuck about the harnesses."

Chapter Four

After breakfast the next morning Dad said, "I'm going to let the horses out in the barnyard. I want to see how they get along with the cows. Coming, Maggie?"

"Yes," she said and followed him.

Dad told Maggie to open the barn door while he untied the horses.

Molly charged out and stopped to look around. Polly was right at Molly's heels and ran into her. Both horses pranced around the barnyard with nostrils flaring.

Polly's head went up, and she slid to a stop. Her ears pointed at the cows standing by the water tank. Polly blew air through her nose. She turned to "talk things over" with Molly. Both horses trotted towards the cows.

The cows looked worried, and then they galloped off. All the animals ran for awhile, but soon they stopped to stare at each other.

"What if they go through a fence?" Maggie worried.

"I don't think they will," said Dad. "But you stay here and watch them while I clean the barn."

Maggie watched until all the animals settled down.