"Could we give him a little ride on our ponies?" asked Teddy of his
mother.
"Yes, I think so. But don't go far away from the stable. Are any of
the cowboys out there to help you saddle?"
Saddling, which meant buckling the leather seat tightly around the
pony, was something Teddy and Janet could not yet do very well for
themselves. It takes strong fingers to tighten the straps.
"Yes, Baldy is out there," Janet said.
"How often have I told you not to call the men by their nicknames?"
asked Mother Martin with a smile. "It isn't nice for children to do
that."
"But, please, Mother, we don't know his other name very well," said
Teddy. "Everybody calls him Baldy."
"Yes, that's right," agreed Aunt Millie. "I do myself. I guess he
doesn't mind."
"Very well, if he'll saddle your ponies for you, take Trouble for a
little ride," agreed Mrs. Martin. "But be careful."
The Curlytops said they would, and they were soon taking turns
riding Trouble on the saddles in front of them. Clipclap and Star
Face liked the children and were well-behaved ponies, so there was no
danger in putting Trouble on the back of either as long as Ted or
Janet held him.
"But don't go riding off with him on the trail after the Indians,"
said Baldy, playfully shaking his finger at the Curlytops.
"We won't!" they promised.
Up and down on the paths among the ranch buildings rode the
children.
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