ne was more
joyous than the bull pup, who barked at the villagers, barked at every
dog and cat within sight, and, after the village had been left behind,
entertained himself by barking at imaginary cats and dogs, Emma Dean
being his most interested listener. Emma's quietness attracted the
attention of her companions, and they wondered at the change in her,
for, on previous journeys, there was seldom a time when Emma did not
have a great deal to say.

Not until after five o'clock that afternoon did the party halt to rest
the ponies and have luncheon, the latter consisting of hot tea and
biscuit, the Riders having planned to eat their supper at Bisbee's
Corners.

Most of the girls were quite ready for a rest, but, this being their
first long ride of the season, they found, upon dismounting, that they
could hardly walk. Grace, being the least disturbed of the party,
volunteered to get the fire started and brew the tea, while Lieutenant
Wingate and Tom Gray watered the horses and staked them at the side of
the road for a nibble at the grass that grew there. Then all hands sat
down with their feet curled under them and held out their tin cups for a
drink of hot tea.

Emma Dean poised her cup in the air, and, with a far-away look in her
eyes, listened intently to the solemn bell note of a hermit thrush.

"What _is_ on your mind to-day, Emma Dean?" laughed Anne Nesbit. "Is it
possible that you are in love or something?"

"I am listening to the voices of nature," replied Emma solemnly, shaking
her head slowly and taking a sip of tea.

"This is something new, isn't it?" twinkled Grace Harlowe.

"Yes," agreed Elfreda. "Only a few hours ago you were listening to a
'message' from the throat of the bull pup, and now I suppose you are
turning your attention to that hermit thrush for the same reason."

"I am listening to the voices of nature," returned Emma. "Listening for
the messages that, when once rightly interpreted, will open up the vast
realm of the unknown to us mortals. If we would but listen we should
hear many mysteries explained and--"

"Speak, Hindenburg!" interjected Hippy, giving the bull pup a push with
the toe of his boot and bringing a growl from the animal. "How long has
she been this way, girls?"

"Make fun of me if you wish. I am used to it."

"I agree with Emma that there is much in nature that we might do well to
consider, suggestions that it would be to our everlasting advantage to
adopt," spoke u