And as for the bastes, sure
and it's the quietest bastes they are, and niver thought of running
away since the day they were born."
So Sarah took her place without uneasiness, and the others started
at a hand canter for Mr. Percy's estancia.
While at Mr. Thompson's both Mrs. Hardy and the girls had ridden
regularly every day, so that all were quite at their ease on their
horses, and were able to talk away without ceasing of all that had
happened since they parted. The only caution Mr. Hardy had to give,
with a side look at Charley, was, "Look out for armadillo holes;
because I have known fellows who were wonderful at sticking on
their horses come to grief at them."
At which Hubert laughed; and Charley said, "Oh, papa!" and colored
up and laughed, as was his way when his father joked him about his
little weaknesses.
They had not gone more than halfway before they met Mr. Percy, who
had ridden thus far to welcome his guests, for English ladies are
very scarce out on the pampas, and are honored accordingly. One of
the first questions the girls asked after the first greetings were
over was, "Have you many mosquitoes at your estancia, Mr. Percy?"
"Not many," Mr. Percy said; "I have no stream near, and it is only
near water that they are so very bad.
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