"Bridles only, at present, Bob," said Sir George, to a stable-boy who had come down laden with gear. "Let the youngsters begin at the beginning. Now you, Jack and Jim--I don't know which of you's which--have a go at them barebacked, and let's see what you're made of." And the boys flung themselves over the ponies with such vehemence that Jim came down headlong on the other side while Graylock danced with dismay; and Jack hung over Whitefoot like a sack, but got his leg over at last, with such a yell of triumph that his startled steed shot from under him and left him in a heap on the grass. But they were both up in a moment and at it again. "Twist yer hand in his mane," instructed Bob, "an' hang on like the divvle. There y'are! Now clip him tight wi' yer knees an' shins. You're aw reet!" And Jim and Graylock went off down the paddock in a series of wild leaps and bounds, while Bob ran after them administering counsel. "Loose yer reins a bit! Don't tickle him wi' yer toes! . . . Stiddy then! Go easy, my lad! Don't fret 'im!"--as Jack and Whitefoot bore down upon him in like fashion. "They'll ride aw reet," he said, as he came back crab-fashion to the lookers-on, with his eyes fixed on the riders. "Stick like cats, they do. And them ponies is enjoying theirselves." "Promising, are they, Bob?" asked Sir George. "They're aw reet. They'll ride," said Bob emphatically. When the horsemen wore round towards the group they were in boastful humour. "I was up first," from Jack. "I was off first," from Jim. "Ay--on ground!" "Nay, on pony! You were sitting on grass." "You fell over t'other side." "I'll fight you!" And in a moment they were off their steeds and locked in fight, to the great scandal of Gracie. "Oh you dreadful boys!" And she danced wildly about them. "Didn't I tell you----" "Stop it, boys!" And Eager laughingly shook them apart. "The old Adam will out," he said to Sir George, who was enjoying them mightily. "They've no lack of pluck. Keep 'em on right lines, Mr. Eager, and you'll make men of them. Now then, who's for next mount? Rafe, my lad, what do you say to a bareback?" "Sooner have a saddle, sir," said young Harben, and sat tight on the paling. "You, missie?" as Gracie danced imploringly before him. "Saddle up, Bob. . . . Well, I'm----!" as the ponies went off down the field again with the boys struggling up into position. "Oh, they'll do all right. I like their spirit." When the ponies were captured, Gracie had her ride under Margaret's care, and expressed herself very plainly on the subject of side-saddles and the advantages of being a boy. And the boys took to saddle and stirrups as they had to the swimming. "They'll ride," was Bob's final and emphatic verdict again. Sir George insisted on their waiting for midday dinner, an experience which some of them enjoyed not at all and would gladly have escaped.