“No, lend him Solomon to ride!”
As he spoke Dick looked at Tom and Tom looked at Dick before they both burst into a hearty fit of laughter.
“Here, let’s get away. He’s coming!”
Dick turned to go, but Solomon objected. Possibly he understood what had been said. At all events he stood fast, and refused to move till, in obedience to a call from his friend, Tom took hold of the bridle and dragged, while Dick made a sudden rush behind, as if to deliver a tremendous kick.
Solomon sighed and consented to move, and, evidently considering himself mastered, he became amiable, made a playful attempt to bite, and then started off at a canter.
“Jump on, Tom!” cried Dick.
The lad wanted no second invitation, but scuffled on to the donkey’s back as it went on, and the trio trotted along for about a hundred yards.
“Where shall we go?” cried Tom.
“Straight on. Let’s see how Mr Marston’s getting along. Here, you ride on to the alders’ corner and tie up Sol, and then go on.”
“I say: here’s the constable coming.” Dick looked back and frowned.