“I’m thankful for the river though, even if I have drunk all kinds of bugs. I guess we’d have died without it through all these miles of sagebrush. When will the others get home, do you suppose?”
“Not until late,” Virginia answered, “that is, if they wait for supper. I’d have loved to have stayed, but William wants Pedro for the range to-morrow, and I wanted him to have a longer rest. Besides, he runs so with the other horses and gets nervous. You were a peach to come with me, Vivian. Right in the hottest part of the day, too.”
Vivian was honest.
“It wasn’t all out of kindness,” she admitted, “though, of course, I love to ride with you. I didn’t especially care about riding home at night, and I don’t like such a big crowd either. Siwash always forgets how old he is, and begins to act kittenish, and I never know what to do. I’m thirsty again. Shall we drink a few more bugs?”
“Might as well, I suppose,” Virginia replied. “Pedro and Siwash seem ready. Ugh! I got one that time! Actually felt him go down my 264 throat! We ought not to put water on our faces, Vivian. They’re peeling now! Here’s some cold cream!”
Vivian squeezed the tube and smeared her glowing nose, before she again mounted Siwash.
“We mustn’t drink any more of the river,” she said. “I feel like an insect cabinet already. Let’s get to the quaking-asps as soon as we can and rest.”
Virginia’s eyes glowed with pride as she watched Vivian mount Siwash and ride away from the river. One would never have known it was the same Vivian who nearly seven weeks ago had begged to stay at home from the getting-acquainted trip. She had learned to ride well and easily, and no apparent fear, at least of Siwash, remained. With still more pride Virginia saw her tanned, happy face, the red color in her cheeks, and the extra pounds which Wyoming had given her. The Big Horn country had been kind to Vivian in more ways than one.
“I never saw any one improve so in riding, Vivian,” she could not resist saying. “You do every 265 bit as well as Priscilla, and Don thinks she’s a marvel. I’m proud as Punch of you!”
Vivian’s cheeks glowed redder.