Ceulemans Eglantine - Cowboy Pug: the dog who rode for glory

Bloomsbury Publishing, London, Oxford, New York, New Delhi and Sydney First published in Great Britain in May 2017 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc 50 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3DP www.bloomsbury.com This electronic edition published in 2017 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc BLOOMSBURY is a registered trademark of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Text copyright Laura James 2017 Illustrations copyright glantine Ceulemans 2017 The moral rights of the author and illustrator have been asserted All rights reserved
You may not copy, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (including without limitation electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, printing, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN: 978-1-4088-6638-2 (PB) ISBN: 978-1-4088-6639-9 (eBook) To find out more about our authors and their books please visit www.bloomsbury.com where you will find extracts, author interviews and details of forthcoming events, and to be the first to hear about latest releases and special offers, sign up for our newsletters. For Author and his Muse Chapter 1 I t was an ordinary morning at No. 10, The Crescent. Pug was sunning himself in the front garden while Lady Miranda exercised her faithful steed, Pony.

Whoa there, boy! Lady Miranda steadied Pony as she scanned the horizon. Bandits at half past two! she exclaimed. Pug didnt know much but that didnt sound good. He took cover. Pony pawed the ground and shook his mane. The bandits were still a way off, due west of the rose bed, but neither horse nor rider was in the mood for hanging around.

Lady Miranda shortened her reins and scooped up her trusty sidekick. Pony was alert and ready. On her command, they charged. Yeeee haw! They galloped towards the bandits. She and Pony were a terrifying sight but the terrain was rocky and, in an unfortunate moment, Pony lost his footing. Aa a a a r g h! Horse, rider and passenger came crashing to the earth.

Oo o of ! Wendy, Running Footman Will and Running Footman Liam came rushing out of the house. Pug padded over to Lady Miranda, concern showing on his wrinkled face. Is everything all right, mLady? asked Wendy, Lady Mirandas housekeeper. Wendy, look at Pony, Lady Miranda replied in anguish. I think hes gone... lame.

Pug agreed. It didnt look good. Running Footman Will, Running Footman Liam, bring the first-aid kit quickly, Lady Miranda ordered as Pug comforted Pony. We might be able to save him. It didnt take them long to bandage Pony (who was a very good patient). When Lady Miranda gave Pony the all-clear they led him back to his stable for a rest.

Well, thats a relief, sighed Wendy. Alls well that ends well, thats what I say. But this isnt the end, Lady Miranda protested. This is only the beginning. What if the bandits come back to kidnap Pug? This was not something that Pug had thought of. I need a new horse and I need one now! Lady Miranda declared, sliding her hand across the brim of her hat.

Running Footman Will, Running Footman Liam, fetch the sedan chair, were going horse-trading. Chapter 2 In no time they were cantering through the busy streets. Inside the sedan chair the bumpy ride made Pugs cowboy hat slip down over his eyes, so he decided it was a good opportunity for a much needed nap. Lady Miranda wouldnt have noticed but for the quiet snore that escaped him. Pug! she nudged him. Were here. Were here.

They had arrived at some very fine-looking riding stables. Running Footman Will and Running Footman Liam dropped the sedan chair and Lady Miranda clambered out with Pug under her arm. Pug sniffed the air. It certainly didnt smell like Ponys stable did. Lady Miranda gently put Pug on the ground and went to find out who was in charge. Its getting cloudy, he thought. Perhaps itll rain and we can go home for tea. Perhaps itll rain and we can go home for tea.

Suddenly a freak gust of wind lifted his cowboy hat clear off his head. Pug turned round in surprise only to see the biggest horse hed EVER seen standing over him. Whats more, the horse was eating his hat! Whoa! Pug took a step back and landed bottom first in a bucket. The very big horse nuzzled him. Pug wrinkled his face. He missed Pony.

Thankfully, at that moment, Lady Miranda came back. I cant find anyone to sell me a horse She stopped when she saw Pug. You clever boy! she exclaimed. Youve found me a horse. Before Pug knew what was happening shed scooped him out of the bucket, grabbed the reins and was attempting to get on the very big horse. Finally she gave in.

Give me a leg up, Running Footman Will, she ordered. Are you sure mLady? he asked, looking at Pugs expression. Oh Pugll be fine, wont you, Pug? Pug wasnt at all sure he would be.