"

"No! of course I can trust you," was Signy's ready answer.

He sprang into his saddle, and then with the aid of his hand and
stirrup Signy climbed lightly to the place before him, and settled
herself there composedly.

"This is how I used to have delightful rides with Uncle Brues," she
said; "but he could not hold me so firmly as you do, and once his pony
stumbled and I had a fall, and he never would let me up beside him
again."

"When my sister was a little girl like you, she was never so happy as
when our father took her up like this; and sometimes he would ride
miles and miles with her. Don't you like Arab's step? I always think
there never was a horse like him. He was a present to me on my
birthday--the last gift of my dear father."

"How you must love him! He goes as easy as a sail-boat on a smooth
sea."

And then Arab was put at a gallop, to Signy's delight. She was
perfectly safe (and felt herself to be so) with that strong arm around
her, and that firm hand holding the reins. She enjoyed that ride
immensely, and remembered the pleasure of it for a long time; but Fred
remembered it all his life long, because from that moment he could date
a new colour in his life, a kind of thought and feeling which were
novel in his experience.

[1] Headstrong and cross-grained.

CHAPTER XV.

"AND PEACE SHALL BE SURER."

A large party were stationed on the lawn at Collaster when Fred rode
up. His sister and Mrs. Mitchell had come to plan a picnic in honour
of Yaspard, and the Manse boys were of course "to the fore" on such an
occasion. The Holtum girls, with the Doctor, his wife, and the Viking,
were all there. If it had been pre-arranged it could not have been
managed better.

"It's like a bit out of a book," Signy said in a whisper, as Arab
pranced up to the door, and everybody there struck an attitude
(unconsciously) with quite dramatic effect.

Yaspard was the first to speak and act.

"Signy! have you come from Boden on a witch's broomstick? Where did
you find her, Mr. Garson?" he said, as he lifted his little sister from
the saddle.

"I've come to ransom you, brodhor," said she; and then she was given up
to the ladies to be petted and welcomed with the greatest tenderness,
while Fred explained; and the appearance of the boat sent Yaspard and
the Mitchell boys racing off to the quay.

It had been arranged that the picnic should consist of an excursion up
the gill (ravine) near the