Jo's Boys - Bibliotecadigital.puc-campinas.edu.br

Chapter 5 44over the lawn at a great pace, sometimes on Octoo's back, sometimes half hidden as he hung by stirrup andstrap, and sometimes off altogether, running beside her as she loped along, enjoying the fun immensely; whileDon raced after, in a canine rapture at being free again and with his mates.It was a fine sight--the three wild things at play, so full of vigour, grace, and freedom, that for the moment thesmooth lawn seemed a prairie; and the spectators felt as if this glimpse of another life made their own seemrather tame and colourless.'This is better than a circus!' cried Mrs Jo, wishing she were a girl again, that she might take a gallop on thischained lightning of a horse. 'I foresee that Nan will have her hands full setting bones, for Ted will breakevery one of his trying to rival Dan.''A few falls will not harm, and this new care and pleasure will be good for him in all ways. But I fear Dan willnever follow a plough after riding a Pegasus like that,' answered Mr Bhaer, as the black mare leaped the gateand came flying up the avenue, to stop at a word and stand quivering with excitement, while Dan swunghimself off and looked up for applause.He received plenty of it, and seemed more pleased for his pet's sake than for his own. Ted clamoured for alesson at once, and was soon at ease in the queer saddle, finding Octoo gentle as a lamb, as he trotted away toshow off at college. Bess came hastening down the hill, having seen the race from afar; and all collected onthe piazza while Dan 'yanked' the cover off the big box the express had 'dumped' before the door--to borrowhis own words.Dan usually travelled in light marching order, and hated to have more luggage than he could carry in hiswell-worn valise. But now that he had a little money of his own, he had cumbered himself with a collection oftrophies won by his bow and spear, and brought them home to bestow upon his friends.'We shall be devoured with moths,' thought Mrs Jo, as the shaggy head appeared, followed by a wolf-skin rugfor her feet, a bear-skin ditto for the Professor's study, and Indian garments bedecked with foxes' tails for theboys.All nice and warm for a July day, but received with delight nevertheless. Ted and Josie immediately 'dressedup', learned the war-whoop, and proceeded to astonish their friends by a series of skirmishes about the houseand grounds, with tomahawks and bows and arrows, till weariness produced a lull.Gay birds' wings, plumy pampas grass, strings of wampum, and pretty work in beads, bark, and feathers,pleased the girls. Minerals, arrow-heads, and crude sketches interested the Professor; and when the box wasempty, Dan gave Mr Laurie, as his gift, several plaintive Indian songs written on birch-bark.'We only want a tent over us to be quite perfect. I feel as if I ought to give you parched corn and dried meatfor dinner, my braves. Nobody will want lamb and green peas after this splendid pow-wow,' said Mrs Jo,surveying the picturesque confusion of the long hall, where people lay about on the rugs, all more or lessbedecked with feathers, moccasins, or beads.'Moose noses, buffalo tongues, bear steaks, and roasted marrow-bones would be the thing, but I don't mind achange; so bring on your baa-baa and green meat,' answered Dan from the box, where he sat in state like achief among his tribe, with the great hound at his feet.The girls began to clear up, but made little headway; for everything they touched had a story, and all werethrilling, comical, or wild; so they found it hard to settle to their work, till Dan was carried off by Mr Laurie.This was the beginning of the summer holiday, and it was curious to see what a pleasant little stir Dan's and