Part 10 (2/2)

”Do you take turns riding those horses?” asked Will, for he was fond of animals, and a very good rider.

”No,” replied Mr. Case, with a wink at his companions, which Will did not see, ”that horse is a new one I bought. He's one of the fastest in this section, but the trouble is no one can ride him.”

”Why not?” asked Will.

”Because he's got such a temper. Not exactly bad, you understand, but as soon as any one gets on his back, he doesn't do as a decent horse should, and carry his rider along the right way.”

”I believe I could ride him,” went on Will, who liked the looks of the steed.

”Are you much of a rider?” asked the man, and again he winked at his companions.

”Pretty fair,” replied Will, who did not like to boast. The truth was, he was the best rider around Lockport, but he did not know what was in store for him from the innocent-looking animal that trailed along so meekly at the saddle horn of Bill Case.

”You can try this one, if you like,” went on the cattleman. ”I've no objection. In fact I'd like to see some one ride him. Maybe he'd be more valuable then. He needs training, but I can't seem to do anything with him.”

The truth of the matter was that the horse was one of the very worst types of ”bucking broncos.” That is, whenever a person got on his back he would jump up into the air, and come down on four feet stiffly, almost jarring the rider out of the saddle. In fact he usually did jar him off, or, if he could not get rid of the man on his back in that way, he had other tricks as bad as bucking.

Bill Case had bought the horse at the town where he had been with his employer's cattle, and he was taking the animal back to the ranch, mainly to use in cowboy sports, for a bucking bronco is not much use as a riding steed. Bill had tried, unsuccessfully, to ride the steed, that was all right, and gentle, as long as no one tried to get on its back.

By this time Mr. Harrison and Jed were some distance ahead. They were interested in talking about gold strikes to the two miners, and had, with Hurd and Curtin, unconsciously drawn away from Will, and the three cattlemen.

”Will you let me try him?” asked the boy, as he looked at the horse. He knew nothing of bucking broncos, though he had read about them. Still, there was no way of telling one by merely looking at it.

”Sure thing,” replied Mr. Case. ”Here's a nice level stretch. You can try him here,” and he stopped, and unfastened the long rope. At the same time he whispered to his companions: ”Watch the fun now.”

Will, all unaware of what was in store for him, dismounted from his own patient, plodding horse, and approached the bronco.

”Jump right on his back,” advised Bill Case. ”You don't need a saddle.”

He knew that the moment a saddle touched the animal's back it would begin to buck, and that would give the ”joke” away.

Will took hold of the animal's bridle, and patted the horse on the muzzle. Then, with a quick motion, he leaped on the bronco's back.

So suddenly was it done that the animal hardly knew what to make of it.

On other occasions there had been a great fight to get a saddle on him, and this prepared him for what was to follow. But this was a new one on him. Still, he made up his mind, did that bronco, that he was not going to submit to the indignity of having a person on his back. He stood still a moment.

”Well done!” cried Bill. Then he added, in a lower tone: ”Watch the fun now, boys!”

”Get up!” exclaimed Will, striking the bronco lightly on the flank.

Instantly something happened. Gathering himself together, as if he had wire springs in his legs, the bronco shot up into the air. Will was taken completely by surprise, but he managed to stay on. Then the horse came down stiffly, jarring the boy so that he thought he would shake to pieces.

But he did not fall off. Instinctively, he gripped his legs around the horse, and drew the reins tighter. The bronco was surprised. Usually one ”buck” was enough to unseat any rider. He would try a new plan.

Suddenly he started off at a fast gallop. By this time Will knew he was in for it, but he was not going to give up. Gathering headway for another leap into the air, the animal rushed on toward where Mr.

Harrison, Jed and the two miners were. Then, coming to a sudden stop, the animal launched himself upward. This time, when he came down stiffly, with his head between his fore legs, Will lost his grip. He was jarred off, and fell to the ground, his head striking heavily, and rendering him unconscious.

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