“Wait and see. I’m most sure I can. I want you to lead Calico very slowly.”
Katy obediently followed directions. Chicken Little put her hand on the girth and vaulted on his back. She rode once around the tree tamely, then slowly got to her feet on Calico’s slim back, bidding Katy steady her. She succeeded in going about three feet with this precarious footing before she lost her balance and slid harmlessly down on the pony’s back. Calico did not look specially pleased at the jounce she gave him as she lit. She persevered until she could go round the tree, then insisted upon trying it alone. Katy and Gertie both remonstrated.
“You’ll get killed! Calico doesn’t like it a bit.”
“I won’t–I tried once all by myself last summer on old Kit, but Calico’s harder, because he isn’t so fat. You wouldn’t hurt me, would you, Calico?” She put her arm around his neck and squeezed him hard.
Calico whinnied and began to nose her for sugar. She produced two lumps, and stroked him, talking to him in whispers while Katy hooted.
“A lot of good that will do.”
Chicken Little got up again with Katy’s help, then started off slowly by herself. Calico moved carefully at a snail’s pace. She made the entire circuit 207of the tree successfully this time. Again she went around, increasing the speed of Calico’s walk. She was so jubilant she grew reckless and clucked, which was Calico’s signal to canter. He responded promptly and with equal promptness, she slid down on him kerplunck. Calico laid back his ears in disapproval, and looked around inquiringly.
By this time Katy had plucked up her courage and wished to try it. She was entirely willing, however, to have Chicken Little at the pony’s head. Katy slipped, too, but she was lighter, and Calico was growing used to it and did not mind so much. Chicken Little patted him each time and he soon ceased to notice the bumps. Gertie preferred to be a spectator at this stunt, but the others persisted until Jane succeeded in going round the tree once with Calico pacing.
“Golly, I wish Ernest and Sherm could see us!” Chicken Little was already sighing for new worlds to conquer.
“You said Golly again.”