"Zane Grey - Betty Zane" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grey Zane)

"Do you remember when you used to lift me on your horse and give me lessons in
riding?"

"I remember better than you. How you used to stick on the back of that horse
was a mystery to me."

"Well, I shall be ready soon to go on with those lessons in riding. I have
heard of your wonderful leap over the hill and I should like to have you tell
me all about it. Of all the stories I have heard since I arrived at Fort
Henry, the one of your ride and leap for life is the most wonderful."

"Yes, Sam, she will bother you to death about that ride, and will try to give
you lessons in leaping down precipices. I should not be at all surprised to
find her trying to duplicate your feat. You know the Indian pony I got from
that fur trader last summer. Well, he is as wild as a deer and she has been
riding him without his being broken," said Colonel Zane.

"Some other time I shall tell you about my jump over the hill. Just now I have
important matters to discuss," answered the Major to Betty.

It was evident that something unusual had occurred, for after chatting a few
moments the three men withdrew into the magazine room and conversed in low,
earnest tones.

Lydia Boggs was eighteen, fair haired and blue eyed. Like Betty she had
received a good education, and, in that respect, was superior to the border
girls, who seldom knew more than to keep house and to make linen. At the
outbreak of the Indian wars General Clark had stationed Captain Boggs at Fort
Henry and Lydia had lived there with him two years. After Betty's arrival,
which she hailed with delight, the girls had become fast friends.

Lydia slipped her arm affectionately around Betty's neck and said, "Why did
you not come over to the Fort to-day?"

"It has been such an ugly day, so disagreeable altogether, that I have
remained indoors."

"You missed something," said Lydia, knowingly.

"What do you mean? What did I miss?"

"Oh, perhaps, after all, it will not interest you."

"How provoking! Of course it will. Anything or anybody would interest me
to-night. Do tell me, please."

"It isn't much. Only a young soldier came over with Major McColloch."

"A soldier? From Fort Pitt? Do I know him? I have met most of the officers."