creak."

The Muley Cow was somewhat offended.

"I've known Ebenezer a great many years," she snapped. "I don't care to
hear a young upstart--a mere pony--make fun of him."

Twinkleheels moved away. He felt the least bit uncomfortable.

"I don't like your young friend," said the Muley Cow to the old horse
Ebenezer. "He hasn't a proper respect for old people like you and me."

"Oh, he's not a bad sort," Ebenezer replied. "He has a good many things
to learn. Perhaps he'll be wiser by night. I shouldn't worry about him,
if I were you."

The Muley Cow told Ebenezer that he was entirely too good-natured. And
they went their own ways, grazing and rambling aimlessly about the
pasture.

Now and then, during the day, they chanced to meet. And always the Muley
Cow asked Ebenezer if Twinkleheels had learned anything more.

"Not yet!" Ebenezer said, each time. "The day's not done till sunset."

Well, late in the afternoon Johnnie Green came slowly up the lane and
stood by the pasture bars and whistled. Twinkleheels and Ebenezer
happened to be together when they heard that cheerful chirp.

"I'll race you to the bars!" Twinkleheels exclaimed.

"Agreed!" cried Ebenezer. The word was no sooner out of his mouth than
he started with a rush. He was three jumps ahead of Twinkleheels before
that surprised pony began to run.

"I'll soon catch the old horse," Twinkleheels thought. "He can't last
long. I'll pass him before we reach the brook."

Before Twinkleheels came to the brook Ebenezer had crossed it in one
mighty leap. He was pounding along with a powerful stride over the firm
turf of the pasture. And behind him Twinkleheels' pattering feet
struggled to shorten the distance between them.

To Twinkleheels' dismay he saw that Ebenezer was steadily drawing away
from him. Although Twinkleheels ran his fastest, Ebenezer reached the
bars six good lengths ahead of him.

X

EBENEZER'S RECORD

The old horse Ebenezer had beaten Twinkleheels in the race to the bars.
While Johnnie Green slipped their halters on them, and they munched the
oats that he gave them, neither of them spoke. Johnnie mounted Ebenezer
bareback; and leading Twinkleheels, he turned down the lane.

"You're not as slow as I thought you were," Twinkleheels said to
Ebenezer as they drew near the barn. "And somehow I couldn't seem to get
to running smoothly. I'd like to race you again. I think I could beat
you next time."

"Perhaps you could," said Ebe