To which Phil replied: "It will make it more real, I reckon."
"The other two had selected their ladies before I reached here," said Nan, "so if I win I'll have to crown a make-believe. The crown is of red maple leaves. Jean is making it now."
"If you win," said Mary Lee contemptuously, being rather put out at the appearance of the Gordon boys upon the scene.
"Yes, Miss High-and-Mighty," returned Nan. "Because you have the best mount, you needn't think you're going to have it all your own way. It isn't the riding; it's the taking the ring. Two out of three goes. Where are the lances, Phil?"
Phil produced three long straight poles made from saplings, sharpened at the end, and soon all three knights were mounted and in line. But just before the herald uttered his first call, Nan lowered her lance, drew from her pocket a piece of apple paring and tied it upon the pole.
"What in the world are you doing?" cried Phil.
"I'm doing this to make Pete go," was the answer. "If he smells this, he'll try to run for it."
"That's not fair," cried Mary Lee.
"It is, isn't it, boys? When she has the best horse she ought to let me do it, I think," declared Nan.
"Oh, there wouldn't anything make that old creature go," said Phil disparagingly. "He always sleeps while Unc' Landy has him in the plough, and I reckon he'll do it now. Let her tole him on any way she likes, Mary Lee; it will be more fun."