The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-10-20
The Honor of the Station

Icy Will M. Ogilvie.


to "have a cut at that there fiyer.'
only stipulating that he should use
his own saddle. But the little roam
seemed to know what was expected
of him, and with a flying forward
buck and quick side lurch he had
the boy in difficulties at once, and
following up his advantage he flung
his rider heavily against the canvas
at the end of the tent, which fortu-
nately broke his fall.
Grimthrope busted the boys coat
with his riding whip and turned with
a smile to the crowd My s5 is
still waitin', gentlemen" he said.
Hughie stirred in his seat. shall
have a cut at him, Dave?" he asked,
but even as he spoke a little wiry
horsebreaker from Merrigal Springs
stepped into the arena with his huge
saddle on his arm.
He rode prettily; beneath his iron
thighs the little roam was powerless,
and though he bucked his hardest he
was conquered from first to last, and
great ovation greeted the breaker
as he received Grimthrope's So and
returned modestly to his place.
Gentlemen" said Grimthrope, IL
have often heard of the Lachlan Riv-
er riders, and there's not the least
doubt that you've got some good men
in the district, but have horse in
my show that has tested the best, and
to show my confidence in him will
double my usual wager and give e20
to the man who can sit him for two
minutes in n hunting saddle, but any
man who tries and fails to ride him
must pay me a forfeit of G5 and take
all risk OF accident. Bring in Steam
Engine!"
A murmur OF applause rippled
| round the ring as the beautiful black
horse was led in; he stood fully six
teen and a half hands, of immense
bone and muscle, and carried proud
head so high that he seemed even
taller than he really was. His eyes
flashed fire upon the tiers Of raYt
brown faces, and as the groom faced
him in the centre of the tent he
sQuealed and lashed out in very wan
tonness.
Then the crowd began to talk, call
ing on the noted horsemen present to
take up the challenge.
Now, then, Hughie! Now, Their,
Daily! Come on Dave Wilson!
Where's Jack Grieve?" and so on.
Hughie shufIled mis- feet impatient
ly, and l noticed the hand that rested
on his knee shook as though with
some nervous resolve.
Daily Stevens, the drover, shook
his head good naturedly. "I've seen
him buck" he said, and there was a
wealth of meaning in his words.
Have another try, Jack Grieve,
he's no worse than the roan!" called
somebody; but Jack sat still, looking
thouGhtfully at nis saddle.
"Dave, Dave Wilson! Come on,
Dave!" yelled the crowd. whats
become of the Mulga boys?" But
Davies handsome brown face be-
trayed no interest in the proceedings:
he stopped to strike a match, and
held it to his pipe.
A gust of wind shook the great
canvas into bellying waves, and a
clatter of rain swept down upon the
roof. The black horse started and
paved The ground impatiently.
"Will l have a cut?" Hughie
face was little white, I thought, as
he bent across to ask Dave the ques-
tion.
"Please yourself, Hughie," said the
overseer. but mind you, he's a bad
one. Daily Stevens wouldn't be of
him unless he was something out OF
the common"
But Hughie had already made ur
his mind LET me use my own sad
die, and I'll ride him." he called out
Grimthrope demurred, but finally
gave way on the point, and Hughie
with the honor of our station in his
hands, stepped out into the arena.
The black horse was blindfoded
and saddled, and Hughie made lit.
tie speech to the crowd.
II don't want you fellows 10 think,
he said, addressing the crowd gener.
ally, shat I'm riding this horse tc
try ard make big man of myself be-
fore you; and l know there's two OF
three fellows in this tent that car
ride both sides of me; but don't be-
lieve in these Queensland fellow.
coming down here and poking fur
at us Lachlan men because we hap
pen to work among sheep and mo-
cattle; more than that, I'm a Mulgi
Plains man, and I'm going to have {
try at this black horse for the honor
OF the old station"
Great applause followed this i'm
promptu oration, for Hughie was /;
sterling fellow and favorite will
.. all, and a first rate horseman init
the bargain. Then he waved hi,
hand to us and took hold of the reins
and quick as cat was down in tn,
saddle. The bandage was snatchet
from he blacks eyes, and he reared
straight on end, gave sudden twis
and nearly fell; then, coming down
he dropped his head, and, squealin;
viciously, bucked hard and higl
| across the ring At the second bucl