THE GAP AMONG THE MOUNTAINS. 149

and finally, after some further discussion, the plan
was agreed upon. Robert harnessed Hero, and he
put a box in the wagon, in front, for himself to
sit upon. They concluded to go around through
the Gap; for both Lucy and her mother wanted
to see the rocks and the mountains, rather than
smooth farms. Just as they were going to set off
from the door, the General’s wife brought out a
tin pail with a cover upon it, and put it into the
wagon.

“ What is that?” asked Lucy.

“ Something for you to eat,” said she, “so that,
if you like your ride, you can stop and havea
little luncheon some where, and so not come back
until the middle of the afternoon.”

When they drove out of the yard, Robert
turned the horse in the direction which led to the
fording-place, where Lucy and her father and
mother had crossed the stream.

“Why, this is the way we came!” said Lucy.

“ Yes,” said her mother. ‘“ You won’t have
to cross the ford, shall you?” said she to Robert.

* No, ma’am,” said Robert ; “we are going to
turn off pretty soon.”

Accordingly, after they had gone on until they
had passed by the smooth fields of the General’s
farm, they canie to a road which turned off ta

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