on a small pony, and
this feels so very different."

At first the party went at a walking pace, but on coming to a good,
level stretch of road the master gave the order to trot, and his pupils
were able to test the capacities of their steeds. Honor, at least, was
most unwilling to pull up when Mr. Townsend called out "Halt!" I am
afraid she did not want a lesson, only a scamper through the fresh air;
and she listened impatiently while the master explained the right
position of the whip, the hold on the snaffle, and the principle of
rising elegantly in the saddle.

"It's all very well to talk of principles," said poor Violet, who
happened to find herself next to Lettice; "I expect a little practice
will be of more use to me. At present I jog up and down like a sack of
flour, and it's all I can manage to stick on anyhow. I know I shall be
as stiff as a board to-morrow!"

"When we reach the Tor we may manage a short canter," said Mr.
Townsend, "but for the present I wish you to keep together. Now then,
young ladies, please, elbows in and heads up! Hold the reins rather
short in the hand, and take care not to bear on the curb!"

"It's no fun, is it?" remarked Honor, as she passed Ruth Latimer. "Are
we only going to walk in a stupid row, and then trot for about ten
yards? I thought we should be flying along, like a hunt. I'd rather be
on Pixie at home; I could always make him go when I tickled his ears.
If we don't hurry up a little more I shall try it on this horse, and
see if he won't break into something more interesting than a snail's
pace."

"Oh, Honor, do take care!" remonstrated prudent Ruth.

But Honor did not stop to listen, and pushed on ahead of the others,
swishing her whip about in a manner that drew instant reproof from the
master. They had left the highway, and were now on a road leading
across the open moor. On one side the cliffs descended steeply to the
sea, and on the other rose bare, rolling hills, covered with short,
fine grass, the sails of a windmill or an occasional storm-swept tree
alone breaking the line of the horizon. It was a very suitable place
for a canter, and after a few preliminary remarks Mr. Townsend started
his flock on what seemed to most of them a rather mad career, following
closely himself in their wake, to continue his instructions:

"Courage, Miss Roby! Miss Talbot, you are leaning over in your saddle!
Miss Lettice, your elbows again! Miss Wright, you must learn not to
gra