The sun set over the camp with the sound of Tambourines and laughter started around the large bond fire. There was bright flashes of colour as the Gypsies danced and twirled around, their colorful attires coiling around them in bright spirals of Reds, Oranges, Greens and Yellows. 1

Their feet hit the dusty ground with light steps, laughing and dancing around. Light swirls of Dust spinning around their feet in glittering spirals gleaming in the fire light. Children dancing around with the older women. Light material scarves tied around their wrists flowing with their movements in colourful streams of glittering material.2

Sitting in a group of four girls is Neala Delaney, holding the Tambourine in her hand gently hitting it against her free hand her friends laughing and chattering about People and other things that contributed to their day. Neala laughed still playing the Tambourine.

"Neala?"came a voice breaking through her thoughts... "Neeaala?" it came again.
"Hmmm...." she mumbled and looked at her friends, slightly dazed.
"Neala, you stopped playing. whats wrong?" one asked her with a soft frown playing in her features.
"I did?" Neala asked still in another world.
"Yeah... What's up?" asked another of her friends.
"Yeah..." Neala shook her head and smiled. "Must be just tired." she said and placed the Instrument down. "I think i'll head to bed!" she smiled and stood up, See you all in the morining." she waved her hand and absently walked backto the caravan she called home.4

She walked in slowly and sighed. Pulling her long red brown hair out of it's pony tail and placing the ribbon down on the small table next to her bed. she brushed her fingers through the loose waves of her hair. looking at her face in the mirror, she focuses on the clear complexion the person staring back at her has. the bark brown eyes, the long reddish hair that curls at the tips.5

She sighed again and placed her hands on the table. Off to bed I go.... she giggled slightly and then pulled on some brown pants on that moulded to her legs and she pulled on a loose fitting Jacket and shoes and runs to the door. and slowly opens it. the door squeaks slightly as she opens it but she knows no one will notice the sound. she pokes her head out the door and looks around.6

No one is in the caravans around hers, her family is out dancing and will be till the cows come home. she slowly snuck out of her caravan and jumped down to the ground to land softly with a small thud. she stood up and made a dash for the canal, the horses stood calmly their ears flickering around listening to the soft sound of the music ringing from the fire place.7

Their unshoed hooves shafeling in the soft sand that makes up the floor of the canal. A Ginger Mare knickers softly to Neala as she meanders in she opens the gate flinching as it swings open with a squeak. she holds her breath as the loud gut wrenching sound of the gate as it swings the full way open. she closes her eyes and watched theinside of her eyelids as the gate slowly draws to a stop. she opens her eyes and glances around the chearing from the fire is still ringing through the night air. not even a stutter in the music to show that they heard.8

Neala sighs and sits back on the heals of her feet. she glances back at the horses and inspects their tence stance. their ears all pointed to the gate. all but the buckskin Colt at the far side of the canal. his ears are flat aginst his head his shoulders twitching every now and then as he shuffles his feet subcontiously, nervouse.9

Slowly the tension in the caanal dies down and the horses go back to their lazy positions. some held their noses to the ground and shuffeles slowly sweeping their nises side to side. others symply sdanding there with a blank look on their faces. Neala walks over to the fance ad picks up one of the many colourfull hand weaved riding blankets and slinging it over her right arm. she glances back up and spots the Soft Golden Palomino Mare staring at her. she walks over quietly.10

"Hey Girl!" she said in a gental voice.11

she ran her hand along her back before lifting the blanket up and throwing one side over her back watching as if falls smoth on her back. "Ready for some fun?" she asked still soft before slinging one leg up over the Palomino's back she pulling herself up to a sitting.12

"Let's go!" she whispered in her ear and gently nudged the mare forward.13