“He’ll take them all without any compunction if you offer them,” he said, and selecting a couple, he handed them to the Indian, who dropped them into a dirty-looking sack he carried, then spoke again in his harsh guttural words, which Nathan interpreted as a request for water-melon. “He knows I have them growing out here and has probably helped himself as fast as they have ripened, in my absence. Now he will beg the remainder. Well, I must give him one, I suppose.” And going to the little garden at the side of the house he plucked one from the vines and gave it to the Indian, who returned a grunt of satisfaction and departed. Then Nathan related anecdotes of their savage neighbors until Lissa, her fright over, laughed merrily. “I am afraid I shall be constrained to keep the curtains down in your absence if there is any danger of being frequently startled by such apparitions,” she said, with a shake of her curly head. “You’ll mind nothing about it in a short time. I must take you out to the reservation, and show you the noble redman in his home. But, come to the door, I have a present for you. I see Mark has driven over the ponies.” They stepped into the open doorway, and as Nathan whistled a call, a beautiful white pony started up from the group grazing near, and came cantering toward them. “I have had this horse in training for a long time, and she is as docile and gentle as a kitten. Puss,” he said, stroking the pony’s smooth neck, “this is your new mistress. No one shall ever drive or ride you from this day, but this little lady.” Lissa flushed with pleasure and put out her hand to caress the pretty creature, which seemed to understand, and acknowledged her acquaintance by dropping its head and rubbing its pink nose in her palm. “Come, jump on her back. She requires no bridle, but will move in any direction you may indicate by the motion of your hand.” Lissa permitted Nathan to seat her, and at the word the gentle little creature lifted her ears and stared across the prairie at an easy lope, most delightful to the rider. Lissa was charmed. “How delightful! How intelligent! How easy!” she cried, as the pony, obeying the wave of her hand, turned back toward the house. “As easy as a rocking-chair. How I shall enjoy going about with her.” “She is perfectly safe, and never scares at anything except farming implements. She usually prefers to make a detour whenever she sees a drag or plow. We tried to hitch her to a mower when we first brought her here, but she utterly refused to be coerced into service and tried to get away by vaulting into the air, lying down in the harness, and performing other gymnastic feats. In fact, she behaved in such an utterly demoralized manner, even kicking and biting, that we concluded we would not subject her to such a trial again.” “The poor thing! She felt it to be a degradation and would not submit to it. I do not blame her.” And Lissa caressed her pityingly.