They had the charge
of it between them. I took it while they went to make some tea, and
it kicked, roared, and fought until they came back. By that time I
had prepared a neat little speech, saying that I was not the least
tired, and would only trouble them for a glass of water; and, having
covered my cowardice successfully, I went on, having been urged by
the hospitable ranchman to be sure to stay for the night at his
father-in-law's house, a few miles further on. I saw that the
wishes of the native went in the same direction, but after my one
experience I assured myself that I had not the necessary nerve for
this species of mendicancy, and went on as fast as the horse could
gallop wherever the ground admitted of it, the scenery becoming more
magnificent as the dark, frowning mountains of Hanalei loomed
through the gathering twilight.
But they were fifteen miles off, and on the way we came to a broad,
beautiful ravine, through which a broad, deep river glided into the
breakers. I had received some warnings about this, but it was
supposed that we could cross in a ferry scow, of which, however, I
only found the bones. The guide and the people at the ferryman's
house talked long without result, but eventually, by many signs, I
contrived to get them to take me over in a crazy punt, half full of
water, and the horses swam across.
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