arrangements, when it was impossible to carry any luggage except a
small "swag," closely packed in a waterproof case and fastened on
the same side as the saddle-pocket. First of all I must assure my
lady readers that I prided myself on turning out as neat and natty
as possible at the end of the journey, and yet I rode not only in my
every-day linsey gown, which could be made long or short at
pleasure, but in my crinoline. This was artfully looped up on the
right side and tied by a ribbon, in such a way that when I came out
ready dressed to mount, no one in the world could have guessed that
I had on any _cage_ beneath my short riding habit with a loose tweed
jacket over the body of the dress. Within the "swag" was stowed a
brush and comb, collar, cuffs and handkerchiefs, a little necessary
linen, a pair of shoes, and perhaps a ribbon for my hair if I meant
to be very smart. On this occasion we all found that our skates
occupied a terribly large proportion both of weight and space in our
modest kits, but still we were much too happy to grumble.

Where could you find a gayer quartette than started at an easy
canter up the valley that fresh bracing morning? From the very
first our faces were turned to the south-west, and before us rose
the magnificent chain of the Southern Alps, with their bold snowy
peaks standing out in a glorious dazzle against the cobalt sky. A
stranger, or colonially speaking, a "new chum," would have thought
we must needs cross that barrier-range before we could penetrate any
distance into the back country, but we knew of long winding vallies
and gullies running up between the giant slopes, which would lead
us, almost without our knowing how high we had climbed, up to the
elevated but sheltered plateau among the back country ranges where
Mr. C. H---'s homestead stood. There was only one steep saddle to
be crossed, and that lay between us and Rockwood, six miles off. It