The herald., 1898-01-23

) ever, and bracing himself, squatted
back on his lariat just at the moment
the captured animal reached the length
} or 1t; and this with such effect that the
neeing creature was brought up with
an exceedingly abrupt turn. AS If real
} izing the situation, the horse, instead
OF tugging ,vainly at the rope that
would choke him more and more II he
} struggled against it, trotted near
enough to slack the pressure, and stood
posing as docility on a grass pedestal.
Bob was amazed.
That's exactly what Old Man Tread
well said you'd do" he exclaimed.
Never was the animal so capable OF
perpetrating surprises as this same
sleek-looking pony. Acting as II the
wondering horses were total strangers
and Bob his long-sought friend, he ig-
nored the scurrying band and followed
the boy with a meekness that simulated
affection. He kept the rope hanging
slack between himself and his captor,
just as an old, home-loving COW might
have done. and pricked his ears as II
with kindly interest in the proceedings.
He stood like saw-buck while BOD
cautiously adjusted blanket and then
the heavy Mexican saddle on his back;
not once did he vince while the broad
cinch was frightened under and around
his splendid lungs; only sadness seemed
to lurk in his eye as he opened his
mouth to receive the bride bit. But
| Bob was not in the least put Off MS
guard by this gentle behavior. Indeed,
as an extra measure of safety, he
fastened stout 'bucking strap under
the tree of the saddle and tied the stir
rups loosely together underneath, so
| that they should not fly toward his
head in the earthquake upheaval which
he anticipated.
All being in readiness, Bob tucked his
trousers into his boots, fastened on
spur, pulled his hat down hard, lashed
his handkerchief firmly about his neck.
and strapped his belt up couple OF
holes. Leading the lamb-like pony to
wide. sloping space from which fair
and square start could be made. he Sc
cured his rope to the pommel OF the
saddle and grasping the bucking strap
with all his strength, vaulted to the
saddle so lightly and quickly that even
that experienced animal gave little
grunt of surprise.
For moment the pony stood as If
in meditation. Then. shaking his head
and heaving a great sigh-lndicating
how much to be regretted the whole
thing was--he trotted for several yards, |
getting his muscles we'll into action |
And then, with a suddenness truly |
amazing, he "lit into" a spasm of buck
ing fearful to see and more fearful to
endure. He shot into the air like a |
spring from out broken clock; he
shook himself in mid-fight like rag |
in the wind he landed with his feet |
punched so closely that all came down |
within space a foot square, stiff |
legged.
And Bob! Hanging desperately to
the bride rein with one throbbng |
hand. gripping the bucking strap with |
the other, pinching his legs together |
with all his might, he staid on top
while he gritted his teeth to keep them
from swapping together and biting his
tongue off with the terrible jerking and
Juggling to which he was subjected.
Changing his tactics with lightning
like rapdity, the broncho now ceased |
his bucking. Throwing his foam-tlecked
mouth aloft. he ran at top speed, dash
ing away through the brush into a
trail leading toward the mountains
bOD lay DdCh III lUt clasp VI lHt SdOult,
swaying with the altered motion and |
quite unable, for the moment, to secure |
a proper equilibrium.
Realizing, however. that the opening |
fight had been settled in his favor, the |
boy rapidly recovered his senses. and |
began to take advantage of the change.
Jabbng his spur into the ponys flank.
he gathered in the reins and attempted
to assume command of the heaving
land-craft that rocked so smoothly be-
meath him and Glove the air with tha
swiftness of sound. In this he was not
entirely successful, as the broncho had
evidently made UP his mind to go to
the depths of Pickhandle Gulch. And
go there he did Bob's utmost efforts to
restrain him proving futile.
"All right" said Bob, "go wherever
you please; only kindly remember that
somebody's still on top and means to
stay. I'm thinking this pace of yours
will tire you a bit, especially when we |
get to the sand, my beauty"
At length, when they were far down |
in the gloomy gulch, the horse reduced |
his speed: nor could all of Bobs spur
ring compel any more of that headlong |
pace. The animal seemed to be saving |
his energy for a final outburst, and to |
be choosing the spot with diabolical |
cunning.
Finally, he reached hillock, where a
space was clear. but hedged all about !
by lodges of slate. the wicked edges of |
which stuck up like pickets on a fence.
There he unexpectedly bounded into
the air. with a shrill neigh, and threw
himself into the widest contortions.
Again and again with the violence of
catapult he jerked himself upward |