Part 11 (1/2)
CHAPTER IX
AFTER BIG GAME
Attracted by the noise of Will's fall, and the sound of the bucking bronco, Mr. Harrison turned quickly. He leaped from his horse and hurried to where the lad was stretched out near the bronco. The steed, now that it had gotten rid of the person on his back, was quiet.
”What happened? What's the matter, Will?” asked Gabe.
”That bronco threw him,” explained Mr. Hurd. ”I just caught a glimpse of it. A nasty fall, too. Is he badly hurt?”
”There don't seem to be any bones broken,” replied Mr. Harrison, as he began feeling of Will's arms and legs.
”Oh, Will! Are you killed?” cried Jed, jumping from the saddle and kneeling beside his brother.
At that moment the boy on the ground opened his eyes.
”Did I--did I stay on?” he asked, as he put his hand to his head.
”Not very long,” replied Mr. Hurd. ”How do you feel?”
”Somewhat dizzy. I guess I'm not hurt much.”
”How did it happen?” asked Jed. ”Where's your horse? How did you come to get on this one?”
”They said I couldn't ride him,” explained Will, nodding in the direction of the cattlemen, who were slowly approaching.
”I thought so,” murmured John Curtin. ”It was a trick of that big cowboy. He knew this was a bucking bronco, yet he let this lad mount it, knowing the beast would throw him off.”
”So, that's the kind of men they are, eh?” spoke Gabe Harrison. ”Then I guess the less we have to do with them the better. Jed, you look after Will a bit. Get him some water. There's a spring just ahead.”
”Where are you going?” asked Mr. Hurd of the old miner, as he saw him turn back on the trail, and walk toward the cattlemen.
”I'm going to have a talk with that big cowboy,” replied Gabe.
Bill Case and his chum, Tim Walsh, were laughing heartily as Gabe approached.
”It's a good joke, isn't it?” asked Gabe sternly. ”I suppose you think you did a smart thing, Bill Case, when you got that tenderfoot to ride that bucking bronco.”
”He sure is a tenderfoot,” replied the cowboy, who did not exactly catch Gabe's sarcasm.
”He wanted to ride,” put in Tim Walsh.
”Well, if a baby wanted to play with a loaded gun, would you let him?”
asked Gabe scornfully.
”How was I to know he didn't know the difference between a bucking bronco and a cow pony?” asked Bill Case.
”You knew well enough,” declared Gabe. ”I think it was a mean, cowardly act, and the sooner we part company, the better I'll like it. There's the trail. We'll wait until you get far enough ahead on it so we can't see your dust. I have no use for such fellows as you.”
”Hold on there!” exclaimed Bill Case, an ugly look coming over his face.
”Maybe you don't know who you're talking to.”