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"Now, et up," said Roy to Helen And in another instant she found herself astride a black, spirited horse Nu thrills along her veins

Roy was at the stirrups with swift hands

"You're taller 'n I guessed," he said "Stay up, but lift your foot Shore now, I'lad you have them thick, soft boots Mebbe we'll ride all over the White Mountains"

"Bo, do you hear that?" called Helen

But Bo did not answer She was leaning rather unnaturally in her saddle Helen became anxious Just then Dale strode back to them

"All cinched up, Roy?"

"Jest ready," replied Roy

Then Dale stood beside Helen How tall he was! His wide shoulders seemed on a level with the pommel of her saddle He put an affectionate hand on the horse

"His naer an' he's the fastest an' finest horse in this country"

"I reckon he shore is--along with er he'd beat your pet," said Dale "We can start now Roy, you drive the pack-horses"

He took another look at Helen's saddle and then ht?" he asked, quickly

Bo reeled in her seat

"I'm n-near froze," she replied, in a faint voice Her face shone white in the starlight Helen recognized that Bo was more than cold

"Oh, Bo!" she called, in distress

"Nell, don't you worry, now"

"Let ested Dale

"No I'll s-s-stick on this horse or d-die," fiercely retorted Bo

The two men looked up at her white face and then at each other Then Roy walked away toward the dark bunch of horses off the road and Dale swung astride the one horse left

"Keep close to ht up the rear

Helen iined she was near the end of a dream Presently she would awaken with a start and see the pale walls of her little roo her , and the old clarion-voiced cock proclaim the hour of dawn