THE CHILDREN’S GUIDE. AND THE NARROW BRIDGE. 67

said the Guide, “you must mount this little pony. You will be
perfectly safe, for all you have to do is to look up all the way. You
must both keep your eyes fixed on the distant peak, and then you
will not turn giddy, nor fall imto the great abyss beneath. Keep
looking up all the way.”

“ But what will become of you?” asked Clover.

“My horse is here too. Do you not see him? Here he is, strong
and powerful, and jet black. Now, Cowslip, mount on your pretty
pony. His name is ‘Trust.’ J can assure you that you can trust
him absolutely, for he will not slip, though the bridge is so narrow,
and though the danger appears so great. Clover, your pony’s name is
‘Courage.’ When you get on his back the courage which already
fills your heart will become greater than ever. I can only say that
both these ponies deserve their names. I cannot tell you how many
children they have taken safely across this dangerous bridge, to the
highest peak of all. Once there, the last danger is past.”

While the Guide was speaking, Clover went up to the pony called
Courage, looked into his eyes, kissed him hghtly on the forehead,
and sprang on his back. When he did so, the little creature began to
paw the ground and to struggle to get forward.

“See how eager he is to land you in safety,” said the Guide. “ He
is kept by the King himself, in his own stables, and the employment
he likes best in the world is to carry children over the bridge.”

“ May I go on?” asked Clover, his eyes sparkling, and his cheeks
glowing with happiness and courage.

“Yes,” said the Guide. .

The next moment poor little Cowslip could not help uttering
a scream, for she saw Clover on his pony treading the bridge, which
. looked little wider than a rope. She shut her eyes and turned

deadly pale. :

“Don’t look,” said the Guide. ‘Get on your pony. When you
are seated on the back of Trust you will feel better.”

He helped her to mount as he spoke, and the little girl certainly
did feel less afraid when she found herself on the pretty pony’s back.

“ But you will promise to stay close to me?” she said to the Guide.

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