"Mary, shall we tell Frank what we intend those herbs for?"
"By no means, he does not deserve to know."
"Ah! I see Terence was right after all, in his opinion of woman's nature—'When you request, they refuse; when you forbid, they are sure to do it.'"
"Come, girls, come! I have business at home;" said Mr. Hamilton, and they set out homeward. They had not proceeded far, when Mary exclaimed, pointing behind her,
"Oh, uncle, that woman will be killed! Can nobody help her?"
"She will certainly be thrown from her horse!"
A party of five or six Mexicans were riding with their usual rapidity toward them. An elderly woman in the rear had evidently lost control of her fiery horse, which was plunging violently. The other members of the company seemed unable to render any assistance, as their own could scarcely be restrained. The unfortunate Señora was almost paralyzed with fright; for instead of checking him by the reins, they had fallen over his head, become entangled in his feet, and, now grasping the mane, she was shrieking fearfully.
"Oh, can't we do something for her!" cried Mary, clasping her hands.
"I do not see how we can assist her," said Mr. Hamilton.
"At least, let us try;" and they hastened to the spot where the infuriated animal was struggling.