been greased. And if he hadn't clutched the
bridle reins he would have dropped off into the very middle of the
puddle.

After that Johnnie kept a sharp eye out for mud puddles. When he knew
that Twinkleheels was going to jump one he had no trouble in sticking to
his seat.

Soon Johnnie decided once more that it would be easy to learn to be a
circus rider. Certainly it was no trick at all to sit on Twinkleheels'
bare back so long as he knew what the pony was going to do. It was as
easy as walking a tight rope. And that was a feat that Johnnie Green had
already mastered.

He only broke a collar bone learning that.

XXII

THE CIRCUS RIDER

The next afternoon, when Johnnie went to the pasture with old dog Spot
to drive the cows home, he climbed a tree--not that climbing a tree
helped in any way to get the cows into the lane!

Just for the moment Johnnie was a sailor--in his mind's eye. He went up
aloft to watch for a desert island, where pirate gold was hidden. And
circus riding would never have entered his head had not Twinkleheels,
who had been grazing in the pasture, come and stood under the tree into
which his young master had climbed.

When Johnnie came down out of the rigging of his ship--or when he
slipped down through the branches of the tree--Twinkleheels stood just
beneath the lowest limb. Johnnie Green swung off it, hung by his arms
for a moment, and then dropped astride of Twinkleheels' back.

It may have been because old dog Spot let out a delighted yelp at that
instant. It may have been that Twinkleheels hadn't expected Johnnie to
mount him in that unusual fashion. Anyhow, he gave one jump and then
stood up on his hind legs.

Johnnie Green didn't even have time to grab at Twinkleheels' mane. He
slid off Twinkleheels' back and struck the ground with a dull thud.

For a few moments he lay there, unable to breathe. Then he struggled to
his feet and ran round and round in a circle, doubled up and groaning.
There was a strange, strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. He
feared he would never be able to get his breath again.

Twinkleheels paid no heed to him, but nibbled at choice clumps of grass
and clover quite as if nothing had happened.

Old dog Spot, however, seemed to think that Johnnie Green was having a
good time and enjoying himself thoroughly. Spot capered about him,
barking furiously.

"Don't!" Johnnie managed to gasp. "Don't laugh, Spot! I'm terribly hurt.
I don't believe I'