XXVIII.
MR. KERCHEY'S DARING EXPLOIT.
After considerable trouble, Mr. Kerchey was mounted, with his feet thrust into the stirrups up to the ankles.
Chester, perceiving the smiling faces of the old ladies at the windows and at the door, watching the performance, was so convulsed with mirth that he could with difficulty get once more into the saddle. But the girls had now all galloped up the road, and, with no inducement to make a display of agility and strength, he braced his toe in the stirrup, and leisurely mounted.
Mr. Kerchey was a little ahead of him, making too ludicrous an appearance to be easily described. He looked like an animated bag of flour, Chester said, awkwardly balanced, jolting painfully, and seeming momently ready to tumble off.
"Oh, you do bravely!" cried the young man, dashing past him, on a smart gallop.
Mr. Kerchey groaned, and grasped the saddle with his left hand, desperately, resolved to ride faster.
The party had halted a little way up the road, and Chester made haste to send Sarah back to keep Mr. Kerchey company. At first she refused to go, but conceiving the idea of some fun, consented to the arrangement, and rode to meet her admirer.
In order that he might not observe the mirth indulged at his expense, the rest of the party galloped on, Chester riding by the side of the sociable Jane Dustan.