“Better tie that hat on tight, Lu,” Max said, in sportive tone; “he may rear and make it fall off, if he doesn’t throw you.”
“I’ll fasten it as tight as I can,” she said. “Oh, I wish I had Gracie or somebody to tie my veil for me!”
“You have two somebodies; isn’t that enough?” asked her father, stepping up behind her where she stood in front of the mirror, and tying it for her as deftly as if he had been a woman. “You will always find your father, and doubtless your brother also, ready to perform any such little service for you. As for the danger of your pony throwing you, I think you may dismiss any such fear. Mr. Short told me he had secured a safe one for you.”
“Oh, I’m glad of that, papa! I thought you wouldn’t let me try a dangerous one. And thank you for tying my veil. I’m quite ready now,” drawing on her gloves as she spoke.
“Well, captain, what do you think of them?” Mr. Short asked, with a look and tone that spoke confidence of a favorable judgment.
The captain and his children stood on the sidewalk in front of the boarding-house, ready to mount the steeds the agent had provided.
“They are far better in appearance, at least, than I had expected to see,” replied Captain Raymond pleasantly. “That horse is a Spanish Mexican, is it not?”
“Yes, sir; and what I call a grand piece of horseflesh for such work as you are likely to put them to. He’ll stand a longer, harder gallop than any other horse I ever rode.
“And those Indian ponies for the use of the young folks are hardy, strong, and well broken, and though not the handsomest steeds that ever were seen, will, I think, give good satisfaction to their riders.”
“I presume they will,” the captain said, lifting Lulu to her saddle and putting the bridle into her hands, while Max mounted his pony without assistance.