Morgan County republican., 1912-01-18

Saddle him up. and I'll try him.
10 told the dealer. 81 wonder II he's
Used to spurs. Nc English saddle,
mind. Give me good Mexican and a
curb bit--not too severe, seeing as he
likes TO rear"
Daylight superlntended the prepara
tons, adjusting the curb strap and
the stirrup length, and doing the
cinchng. lie shook his head at the
martingale, but yielded to the dealers
advice 10 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 tho 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 he
would through the Piedmont hills and
along the many.gated backroad TO
Berkeley, Daylight saw nothing of
Dede Mason and her chestnut sorrel
But he had little time for disappoint'
ment, tor his own chestnut kept him
busy. At the end of half an hour
OF goodness Daylight. lured into conf
dence. was riding along at walk
and rolling q cigarette, with slack
knees and relaxed seat. the reins lying
on the animals neck. Bob whired
abruptly and with lightning swiltness.
pivotng on his hind legs. his fore legs
just lifted clear OF the ground. Day
light kept his seat. but, beyond fu'
tile rein across the neck, did nothing
to prevent the evolution.
well, Rob" 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 kick that struck the stir
rup 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 u real licking
before" he muttered, as Bob. thus
rudely jerked out OF the circle OF his
own impish mental processes. shot
ahead
Half a dozen times spurs and qurt
bit into him. and then Daylight settled
down to enjoy the magnificent gallon
No longer punished. at the end OF
half mile Bob eased down into a fast
canter Wolf. tolling 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.
iy and put him into gentle canter
on the forward track. After time.
he reined In to u stop to see II he
we're breathing painfully, Standing
for a minute. Bob turred his head and
nuZzled his riders stirrup In a
roguish. impatient way. as much as TO
intimate that 1t was time they were
going on.
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"
He had taken liking to the animal,
and repented not OF his bargain lie
realized that Bob was not vicious nor
mean. the trouble being that he was
bursting with high spirits and was en-
dowed with more than the average
horses Intelligence. 1t was the spirits
and the intelligence. combined with
inordinate ROBUSTNESS, that made him
what he was. What was required to
control him was a strong hand. with
tempered sternness and yet with the
requisite touch OF brutal dominance
Throughout the week Daylight found
himself almost as much interested ir
Bob as in Dede: and, not being in the
thick OF any big deals, he was prob
ably more interested In both of then
than In the business game Bob,
trick OF whirling was OF special mo
ment to him. How to overcome it
that was the thing. Suppose he die
meet with Dede out In the hills: ant
suppose by some lucky stroke of fate
he should manage to be riding along
side of her: then that whirl of Bob'i
would DO most disconcer,ing and EN-