The Young Lion Hunter | Page 6

gaped and he stared in speechless delight.
Hal had the youngster jammed against the fence and was banging him.
"You called me redhead and tenderfoot and sloppy rider!" cried Hal,
swinging his fists.
Then Ken reached them, pulled Hal away, and rescued the already
bewildered and bloody-nosed lad.
"Dick, I knew it, I knew it," said Ken, leading the lad out at the gate.
"The minute Hal asked that boy to ride the mustang I knew what was
up. I couldn't say a word. Hal always makes me speechless."
Williams was shaking so that he rattled the top bar of the corral, and
Purcell roared. If it had not been for the shame and distress in Ken's
face I would have yelled myself. For that bantering youngster had long
ago earned my dislike, and I was glad to see him get a little of his just
deserts.
Then I saw Hal look through the fence at all the strange lads. He was
certainly the coolest piece of audacity I ever saw.
"I wasn't born in a saddle, see?" he said. "At that I'll bet in a month I

can ride with any of you. But there's one thing I can do right now--so
don't any of you call me redhead again."
"Hal, shut up, and come out of there," called Ken.
"Not on your life," replied Hal, promptly. "I'm going to ride this
iron-jawed mustang or--or--"
Hal did not complete the sentence, but his look was expressive enough.
Jim Williams leisurely dropped off the fence into the corral. While
removing his spurs he looked up at Ken, and his eyes twinkled.
"See here, Ken, you're doin' a powerful lot of fussin' about this kid
brother. You leave him to me."
That from Williams occasioned me immeasurable relief, and though
Ken still looked doubtful there was much gladness and gratitude in his
surprised glance.
Jim sauntered over toward the center of the corral, swinging his spurs.
"Kid, I reckon you an' me had better strike up a pardnership in ridin'
pintoes, an' all sich little matters appertainin' to the range."
Jim changed the strap lengths on his spurs and handed them to Hal.
"Put these on," he said. "I reckon they're too long for you, an' mebbe
'11 trip you up when you walk. But they're what you need on
horseback."
Hal adjusted the spurs, and took a few awkward steps, digging up the
ground with the big rowels.
"They'll be as hard on me as on the pony," he said.
Jim captured Wings, and tightened saddle-girths, shortened stirrups,
and, slipping off the bridle, let the pinto go.

"Now, kid, listen. These Western hosses an' mustangs can size up a
man, an' take advantage of him. You've got to be half hoss yourself to
know all their tricks. The trouble with you jest now was thet Wings
seen you was scared of him. You mustn't let a hoss see that. You must
be natural, easy, an' firm. You must be master. Take the bridle an' go up
to Wings, on the left side. Never again try to straddle a hoss from the
right side. Don't coax him, an' don't yell at him. If you say anythin',
mean bizness. When you get him in a corner go right up, not too quick
or too slow, an' reach out to put on the bridle as if you'd done it all your
life. When you get it on draw the reins back over his head reasonable
tight an' hold them with your left hand, at the same time takin' a good
grip on his mane. Turn the stirrup an' slip your left toe in, grab the
pommel with right hand, an' swing up. Start him off then an' let him
know who's boss. If he wants to go one way make him go the other.
Don't be afraid to stick the spurs into him. You're too gentle with a hoss.
Thet'll never do in this country. These sage-brush hosses ain't Eastern
hosses. Make up your mind to ride him now. He'll see it. An' if he
bucks soak him with the spurs till he stops or throws you. An' if he
throws you get up an' go after him again."
"All right," replied Hal, soberly. And picking up the bridle he went
toward Wings.
The pinto squared around and eyed Hal as curiously as if he had
actually heard the advice tendered by the Texan. Probably he heard the
clinking spurs and knew what they meant. With a snort he jumped and
began to run round the corral. Hal slowly closed in on him, and at
length got him in a corner. And here Hal showed that he could obey
coaching as readily as Ken. Walking directly up to the pinto, he bridled
him, and with