Aunt Jennie bade us goodbye and , estimable woman that she was , did not trouble us with advice or forebodings . Mr. Nash had sent over his `` democrat , '' a light wagon with springs ; and Kate 's `` shaganappies , '' Tom and Jerry -- native ponies , the toughest horse flesh to be found in the world -- were hitched to it . Kate and I were properly accoutred for our trip and looked -- but I try to forget how we looked ! The memory is not flattering . We drove off in the gayest of spirits . Our difficulties began at the start , for we had to drive a mile before we could find a place to ford the creek . Beyond that , however , we had a passable trail for three miles to the little outpost of the Mounted Police , where five or six men were stationed on detachment duty . `` Sergeant Baker is a friend of mine , '' said Kate . `` He 'll be only too glad to lend me all we require . '' The sergeant was a friend of Kate 's , but he looked at her as if he thought she was crazy when she told him where we were going . `` You 'd better take a canoe instead of a team , '' he said sarcastically . `` I 've a good notion to arrest you both as horse thieves and prevent you from going on such a mad expedition . '' `` You know nothing short of arrest would stop me , '' said Kate , nodding at him with laughing eyes , `` and you really wo n't go to such an extreme , I know . So please be nice , even if it comes hard , and lend us some things . I 've come a-borrying . '' `` I wo n't lend you a thing , '' declared the sergeant . `` I wo n't aid and abet you in any such freak as this . Go home now , like a good girl . '' `` I 'm not going home , '' said Kate . `` I 'm not a ` good girl ' -- I 'm a wicked old maid , and I 'm going to Bothwell .
If you wo n't lend us a tent we 'll go without -- and sleep in the open -- and our deaths will lie forever XXXXX your door .
Beyond as at if in like of on that with