Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1912-02-23

likes to rear"
Daylight superintendent the prepare
tons, adjusting the curb strap and
the stirrup length. and doing the
cinching. He shook his head at the
m~artingale, but yielded to the dealers
advice to allow It to go on. And Bob,
beyond spirited restlessness and a
few playful attempts, gave no trouble.
Nor in the hours riding that followed,
save for some permissible curveting
and prancing, did he misbehave. Day
light was delighted; the purchase was
Immediately made; and Bob. with rid
ing gear and personal equipment. was
dispatched across the bay forthwith
to take up his quarters IN the stables
of the Oakland Riding Academy.
The next day being Sunday, Day
light was away early, crossing on the
ferry and taking with him Wolf, the
leader OF his sled team, the one dog
which he had selected to bring with
him when he left Alaska. Quest as ne
would through the Piedmont hills and
along the m%any-gated back-road to
Berkeley, Daylight saw nothing OF
Dede Mason and her chestnut sorrel'
But he had little time for d%isappoint'
ment. for his own chestnut Kept him
busy. At the end of half an hour
of goodness Daylight. lured into conn
dence, was riding along at a walk
orl raI1ino a oioorpffo with SLACK
knees and relaxed seat, the reins lying
on the animals neck. Bob whirled
abruptly and with lightning swiftness'
pivoting on his hind legs. his fore legs
just lifted clear of the ground. Day
light kept his seat. but, beyond a fu-
tile rein across the neck. did nothing
to prevent the evolution.
well. Bob" he addressed the ami
NAL, at the same time wiping the
sweat from his own eyes. I'm free to
confess that you're sure the blamed
est alfred quickest creature | ever
saw. | guess the way to fix you Is to
keep the spur just a-touching-ah!
you brute!"
For, the moment the spur touched
him. his left hind leg had reached for
ward In a kick that struck the stir
rup a smart blow. Several times. out
of curiosity. Daylight attempted the
spur. and each time Bob's hoof landed
the stirrup. Then Daylight, following
the horses example of the unexpected,
suddenly drove both spurs Into him
and reached him underneath with the
quirt.
You amt never had a real licking
before" he muttered, as Bob. thus
rudely jerked outsof the circle OF his
own impish mental processes, shot
ahead.
Half a dozen times spurs and qulrt
bit into him, and then Daylight settled
down to enjoy the magnificent gallop.
No longer punished. at the end OF a
half mile Bob eased down into a fast
canter. Wolf, toiling the rear, was
catching up, and everything was going
nicely. And when. at last, Daylight
decided that the horse had had
enough. he turned him around abrupt
ly and put him into a gentle canter
on the forward track. After a time.
he refined in to a stop to see II he
we're breathing painfully. Standing
for a minute. Bob turned his head and
nuzzled his riders stirrup in a
roguish. impatient way, as much as to
intimate that 1t was time they were
going OF,
well, I'll be plumb gosh darned!"
was Daylight's comment. mo ill-will'
no grudge. no nothing-and after that
lambasting! You're sure a hummer,
, Bob"
I He had taken a liking to the animal
and repented not of his bargain he
realized that Bob was not vicious moi
mean. the trouble being that he was
I bursting with high spirits and was en-
s dowed with more than the average
t horses intelligence. 1t was the spirits
and the intelligence. combined witt
/ inordinate ROBUSTNESS, that made hin
what he was. What was required t
e control him was a strong hand, will
tempered sternness and yet with thu
y requisite touch of brutal dominance
t Throughout the week Daylight found
Q himself almost as much interested II
y Bob as in Dede; and. not being in tn
n thick of any big deals, he was prob
b ably more interested In both OF then
than in the business game. Bob
k trick of whirling was of special me
It ment to him. How to overcome it
g that was the thing. Suppose he di'
II meet with Dede out In the hills; an
suppose by some lucky stroke of fate
y he should manage to be riding alonf
It side of her; then that whirl OF Bob
o. would be most disconcerting and en-
barrassing. He was not particular
anxious for her to see him thrown fol
I. ward on Bob's neck. On the othe
In hand, suddenly to leave her and g
is dashing down the back-track. plyin
ouirt and spurs. wouldn't do. eithe'
ID What was wanted was a metho
ir wherewith to prevent that lightnin
Is whirl. He must stop the animal b
n. fore It got around. The reins woul
il. not do this. Neither would the spur,
" Remained the quirt. But how to a.
complish it? Bob always whirled
/" the right. Very well. He woul
e double the quirt in his hand. and, tn
Ia instant of the whirl. that double qut