"Good Billy! nice Billy!" said little Joe, as he patted the nose of
the old black horse. "Say, Uncle John, can't I ride him to water?"
"I am afraid you cannot hang on to him," replied his uncle. "Did you
ever ride a horse?"
"No, uncle; but I am sure I can," answered Joe. "Please let me try.
I'll take hold of his mane with both hands, and hang on as hard as
ever I can."
"Well, you may try it. There is the trough, against that fence, the
other side of the barn. Look out that old Billy does not give you a
ducking."
"Never fear for me," cried Joe, riding away in great glee.
He was a little city boy, and had come out to the farm to make his
uncle a visit. He thought it great fun to take a ride on horseback.
It did not take him long to find the trough, for old Billy knew the
way right well. Then, how it happened, Joe never could tell: Billy put
his head down quite suddenly, and right over it slid the little boy
with a great splash, head first into the water.
Of course he was not hurt. He caught hold of the fence and came out,
dripping from head to foot.
[Illustration: {JOE IN THE WATER TROUGH.}]
Old Billy looked on rather surprised, but got his drink. He let Joe
lead him back to the barn, and how Uncle John did laugh at him. Joe
laughed too, as he went off to get on some dry clothes. Though he took
a good many rides after that, he never forgot his first one on old
Billy's back.