Eight cousins : or, The aunt-hill

"come ! 152 EIGHT COUSINS.Fired by this ambition, she startled Barkis by a sharj)cut, and still more bewildered him by leaving him tohis own guidance down the stee]:), stony road. Theapproach would have been a fine success if, just asRose w^as about to pull ui3 and salute, two or threedistracted hens had not scuttled across the road witha great squawking, which caused Barkis to shy andstop so suddenly that his careless rider landed in anignominious heaj) just under old Sorrel's astonishednose.Rose was up again before Dr. Alec was out of thecarryall, and threw two dusty arms about his neck,crying with a breathless voice," O uncle, I 'm so glad to see you ! It is betterthan a cart-load of goodies, and so dear of you to" But are n't you hurt, child ? That w\as a roughtumble, and I'm afraid—you must be damaged somewhere,"answered the Doctor, full of fond anxiety, ashe surveyed his girl with pride." My feelings are hurt, but my bones are all safe.It 's too bad ! I was going to do it so nicely, and th(^stupid hens spoilt it all," said Rose, quite crest-fal]as well as much shaken." I could n't believe my eyes when I asked ' Whereis Rose ? ' and Mac pointed to the little Amazon^elt-'ing down the hill at such a rate. You could n't havedoneany thing that would please me more, and I'mdelighted to see how well you ride. Now, will yoiimount again, or shall we turn Mac out and tike yonin ? "asked Dr. Alec, as Aunt Jessie proposed a start,for the others were beckoning them to follow.