Nancy had just about decided to practice stunt riding when a voice hailed her. She turned abruptly to see two girls running from the woods. They climbed onto the fence, laughing.

"Bess! George!" Nancy cried. "Where did you come from?"

She immediately turned Belgian Star around and rode up to the fence. She noticed that Bess Marvin, blond, blue-eyed, and several pounds heavier than Nancy, was holding a sketching pad and pencil in her hands.

"Hold it!" Bess ordered.

Nancy obediently sat still while her friend quickly sketched. Meanwhile, Bess's cousin George Fayne leaned over the fence and patted Belgian Star. She was slim and athletic-looking. Her dark-brown hair was cut very short.

"Pretty nice horse," she remarked. "Is your dad going to let you buy her?"

"Oh, Señor Roberto wouldn't part with this mare for anything," Nancy replied. "She's a darling. I wouldn't ride any other horse out here."

"Let's see you do some stunts," George urged.

"Yes, please do," said Bess. "I want to make several sketches."

"All right," Nancy agreed. "But, Bess, first tell me, when did you take up sketching?"

"Just this afternoon." Bess giggled. "You might say I was inspired by reports of your fine riding."

Nancy told the girls what had happened to her a short time ago and asked if they had seen a man running as they came through the woods. Neither of them had, but George offered to stand guard while Nancy did her trick riding.

Bess and George were amazed at their friend's proficiency as an equestrienne. Under Roberto's coaching Nancy somersaulted from Belgian Star and leaped back on the mare's back as the horse cantered around the ring.

"You're a whiz!" George said admiringly. "And you sure kept all this a secret."

"How did you find out about my taking these lessons?" Nancy asked as the girls walked toward the stable.