Only by prompt action and good horsemanship had she kept
her seat. Now she was quite helpless, for an attempt to dismount would
cause the heavy saddle to turn, with unknown and awkward results. She had
recognized Burt, and knew that he was a gentleman; therefore she patted
her horse and quieted him, while the young man came promptly to her
assistance. He, secretly exulting over the promise of an adventure, said,
suavely, as he lifted his hat:
"Miss Hargrove, will you permit me to aid you?"
"Certainly," she replied, smiling so pleasantly that the words did not
seem ungracious; "I have no other resource."
He bowed, leaped lightly to the ground, and fastened his horse by the
roadside; then came forward without the least embarrassment. "Your
saddle-girth has broken," he said. "I fear you must dismount. Shall I
lift you off? You maintained your seat admirably, but a very slight
movement on your part will cause the saddle to turn."
"I know that," she replied, laughing. "Helplessness is always awkward. I
am only anxious to reach ground in safety;" and she dropped the reins,
and held out her hands.
"Your horse is too high for you to dismount in that way," he said,
quietly, "and the saddle might fall after you and hurt you. Pardon me;"
and he encircled her with his right arm, and lifted her gently off.
She blushed like the western sky, but he was so grave and apparently
solicitous, and his words had made his course seem so essential, that she
could not take offence.
Pages:
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380