She climbed up on
the fence, and then onto the horse's back. Don quickly climbed on behind
her.
In his younger days, Ned had been taught a number of tricks, which he
still remembered. He would shake hands, and nod his head, and ride up
the steps. And when a rider was on his back, if he gripped his knees in
Ned's sides, the old horse would gallop away as fast as he could.
Always, before this, the children had ridden with a saddle; and so they
had never had to hold fast with their knees. But today Joyce knew she
would have to hold on tightly, so she pressed her knees hard against old
Ned's sides. Instantly he started to gallop across the pasture. He went
up the lane, through the open gate into the barn lot, and on to the
watering trough. Joyce still held to his mane with all her might, gripping
him tightly with her knees. Don bounced up and down behind her, with his
arms about her waist.
When Ned reached the watering trough, he stopped. Suddenly he lowered
his head, and both children slipped off into the trough. It was about
half-full of water, and Joyce fell in face downward. Such sputtering,
puffing, and blowing, as they scrambled out of the trough! And there
stood old Ned, looking at them as if to say, "How did you like your bath?"
Grandpa came hurrying up to see if they were hurt.
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