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diff --git a/old/69798-0.txt b/old/69798-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 9e709ba..0000000 --- a/old/69798-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8413 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Smoky, by Will James - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Smoky - The cow horse - -Author: Will James - -Release Date: January 14, 2023 [eBook #69798] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SMOKY *** - - - - - - SMOKY - - The Cow Horse - - Will James - - Buccaneer Books - Cutchogue, New York - - Copyright 1926 Charles Scribner's Sons; renewal 1954 - - Copyright 1926 Charles Scribner's Sons; renewal 1954 - Auguste Dufault - - International Standard Book Number: 1-56849-236-7 - - For ordering information, contact: - - Buccaneer Books, Inc. - P. O. Box 168 - Cutchogue, New York 11935 - (516) 734-5724, Fax (516) 734-7920 - - - - - PREFACE - - -To my way of thinking there's something wrong, or missing, with any -person who hasn't got a soft spot in their heart for an animal of -some kind. With most folks the dog stands highest as man's friend, -then comes the horse, with others the cat is liked best as a pet, or -a monkey is fussed over; but whatever kind of animal it is a person -likes, it's all hunkydory so long as there's a place in the heart for -one or a few of them. - -I've never as yet went wrong in sizing up a man by the kind of a -horse he rode. A good horse always packs a good man, and I've always -dodged the hombre what had no thought nor liking for his horse or -other animals, for I figger that kind of gazabo is best to be left -unacquainted with, no good would ever come of the meeting. - -With me, my weakness lays towards the horse. My life, from the time -I first squinted at daylight has been with horses. I admire every -step that crethure makes, I know them and been thru so much with 'em -that I've come to figger a big mistake was made when the horse was -classed as an animal. To me, the horse is man's greatest, most useful, -faithful, and powerful friend. He never whines when he's hungry or sore -footed or tired, and he'll keep on a going for the human till he drops. - -The horse is not appreciated and never will be appreciated enough,--few -humans, even them that works him, really know him, but then there's -so much to know about him. I've wrote this book on only one horse -and when I first started it I was afraid I'd run out of something to -write, but I wasn't half thru when I begin to realize I had to do some -squeezing to get the things in I wanted, and when I come to the last -chapter was when I seen how if I spent my life writing on the horse -alone and lived to be a hundred I'd only said maybe half of what I feel -ought to be said. - -The horse I wrote of in this book is not an exception, there's quite a -few like him, he's not a fiction horse that's wrote about in a dream -and made to do things that's against the nature of a horse to do. Smoky -is just a horse, but all horse, and that I think is enough said. - -As for Clint, the cowboy who "started" Smoky, he's no exception either. -He's just a man who was able to see and bring out the good that was -in the horse--and no matter how some writers describe the cowboy's -handling of horses, I'm here to say that I can produce many a cowboy -what can show feelings for a horse the same as Clint done. - -But Smoky met other humans besides Clint, many others, and of all -kinds, and that's where the story comes in. And now, my main ambition -as I turn Smoky loose to making hisself acquainted is that the folks -who will get to know him will see that horse as _I_ seen him. - - WILL JAMES III - - - - - CONTENTS - - - I. A RANGE COLT - - II. SMOKY MEETS THE HUMAN - - III. WHERE THE TRAILS FORK - - IV. THE END OF A ROPE - - V. THE BRONC TWISTER STEPS UP - - VI. "THE SQUEAK OF LEATHER" - - VII. SMOKY SHOWS HIS FEELINGS - - VII. SMOKY STARTS OUT - - IX. FIGHTS FOR RIGHTS - - X. "AMONGST THE MISSING" - - XI. "THE FEEL OF A STRANGE HAND" - - XII. "WHEN THE GOOD LEAVES" - - XIII. "A MANY-MEN HORSE" - - XIV. "DARK CLOUDS, THEN TALL GRASS" - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS - - -His ears begin to work back and forth towards the sound his mammy would -make as she moved - -His long legs tangled and untangled themselves as he run, and he was -sure making speed - -His mammy shot up the hill, took in the goings-on at a glance, and ears -back, teeth a shining, tore up the earth and lit into the cayote like a -ton of dynamite - -Smoky had 'em all buffaloed - -And as his mammy went to join the bunch, he followed and the big -buckskin brought up the rear - -The lion had figgered on his victim a jumping to one side at his leap, -and he'd allowed for that - -He got strong headed and full of mischief, and then's when the older -horses figgered him to be a regular pest - -There's bowed necks as the three touch nostrils - -Smoky done a side swipe that was quicker than chained lightning - -The cowboy still hanging onto the rope that held his head, came on, -saddle and all with him, and quivering with fear the little horse layed -low, feet straight out in front and head near to the ground he stayed -there - -He didn't forget how he was stopped, and so sudden, that first time -he'd tried to break with an empty saddle - -A hand touched him on the forehead - -And when a glance back showed Smoky the rider was still there, he got -desperate again and begin to see red - -Smoky wondered what a rope was doing up there - -The bush came out and headed straight for Smoky - -He liked to chase the wild-eyed cow, turn her when she didn't want to -be turned, and put her where she didn't want to be put - -Smoky's eyes was on Jeff with a steady warning in 'em for him to keep -his distance--and Jeff did - -Smoky stuck his head and neck out far as he could and nickered at the -sight of the cowboy - -Clint was about to get on his horse and ride away, but he stopped, and -felt of Smoky's hide once more - -Feed was aplenty and the little pawing that had to be done to reach it -was like so much exercise and only kept his blood in good circulating -order - -The black was jerked off his feet, rolled plum over, and he lit head -first on the other side - -Smoky and Pecos' hides begin a itching and the two was often busy -scratching one another - -Slow and easy Clint raised a hand and held it to within a few inches of -his nose - -Old Tom didn't even get well set that time, Smoky bowed his head and -went out from under him leaving him come down on the other side - -Many a cowboy had remarked it was worth the price of a good show to -watch Smoky outdodge the critter - -The next day Clint was busy bringing the weak stock closer to the ranch - -Heavy drifts was lunged into and hit on a high run as they tried to -leave the rider behind - -And even tho cattle is what the round up wagons was out for, there was -more eyes out for Smoky - -Clint'd keep on comparing whatever horse he'd be riding with Smoky, -and find that pony (no matter how good he was) a mighty poor excuse as -compared with the mouse colored horse that was missing - -A rope had settled around his neck once, he'd fought till it -broke,--and run on a dragging it - -And while the breed was getting as much of the saddle under him as he -could, the cowboy took off the foot ropes - -Smoky's interest was all for shedding the saddle right then and all -that carried the breed's smell - -That pony had been harder to get near than any of the wild ones he was -with - -The breed would often watch him thru the corral poles and wonder - -The horse had been found out on the desert, amongst a bunch of wild -horses and packing an empty saddle - -In front of the crowded grandstand is where his fame as a man-hating, -bucking outlaw begin to spread - -The chute gate would fly open, and out would come a tearing, bellering -hunk of steel coils to land out a ways, and like a ton of lava from -above, jar the earth even up to the grandstand - -The Cougar reared up while the rider was still in the air, then turned, -and with his ears back, teeth a flashing, hoofs a striking with -lightning speed, went to carry out his heart's craving - -About that time the mouse colored outlaw peeked thru the bars of the -chute at him and snorted - -He wasn't caring right then if it was said that he didn't ride the -horse to the finish - -The long horned "Sonora reds" begin to spread all over the range -countries of the U. S. plum up to the Canadian line - -No remuda got by that Clint didn't ride thru - -As he stepped out to get a bucket of water the morning sun throwed a -shadow on the door - - - - - SMOKY - - - - - CHAPTER I - - A RANGE COLT - - -It seemed like Mother Nature was sure agreeable that day when the -little black colt came to the range world and tried to get a footing -with his long wobblety legs on the brown prairie sod. Short stems of -new green grass was trying to make their way up thru the last year's -faded growth and reaching for the sun's warm rays. Taking in all that -could be seen, felt, and inhaled, there was no day, time, nor place -that could beat that spring morning on the sunny side of the low -prairie butte where Smoky the colt was foaled. - -"Smoky" wouldn't have fitted the colt as a name just then on account -he was jet black, but that name wasn't attached onto him till he was a -four-year-old, which was when he first started being useful as a saddle -horse. He didn't see the first light of day thru no box stall window, -and there was no human around to make a fuss over him and try to steady -him on his feet for them first few steps. Smoky was just a little range -colt and all the company he had that first morning of his life was his -watchful mammy. - -Smoky wasn't quite an hour old when he begin to take interest in -things, the warm spring sun was doing its work and kept a pouring -warmth all over that slick little black hide and right on thru his -little body till pretty soon his head come up kinda shaky and he begin -nosing around them long front legs that was stretched out in front of -him. His mammy was close by him and at the first move the colt made she -run her nose along his short neck and nickered. Smoky's head went up -another two inches at the sound and his first little answering nicker -was heard, of course a person would of had to listen mighty close to -hear it, but then if you'd a watched his nostrils quivering you could -tell that's just what he was trying to do. - -That was the starting of Smoky. Pretty soon his ears begin to work -back and forth towards the sound his mammy would make as she moved. He -was trying to locate just where she was. Then something moved right -in front of his nose about a foot; it'd been there quite a good spell -but he'd never realized it before; besides his vision was a little dim -yet and he wasn't interested much till that something moved again and -planted itself still closer. - -[Illustration: His ears begin to work back and forth towards the sound -his mammy would make as she moved. His vision was dim yet, and he was -trying to locate just where she was.] - -Being it was right close he took a sniff at it. That sniff recorded -itself into his brain and as much as told him that all was well, it -was one of his mammy's legs. His ears perked up and he tried nickering -again with a heap better result than the first time. - -One good thing called for another and natural like he made a sudden -scramble to get up, but his legs wouldn't work right and just about -when he'd got his belly clear of the ground and as he was resting -there for another try at the rest of the way up, one of his front legs -quivered and buckled at the elbow, and the whole works went down. - -He layed there flat on his side and breathing hard, his mammy nickered -encouragement, and it wasn't long when his head was up again and his -legs spraddled out all around him the same as before. He was going to -try again, but next time he was going to be more sure of his _ground_. -He was studying, it seemed like, and sniffing of his legs and then the -earth like he was trying to figger out how he was going to get one to -stand up on the other. His mammy kept a circling around and a talking -to him in horse language; she'd give him a shove with her nose then -walk away and watch him. - -The spring air which I think is most for the benefit of all that's -young had a lot to do to keep Smoky from laying still for very long, -his vision was getting clearer fast, and his strength was coming in -just as fast. Not far away, but still too far for Smoky to see was -little calves, little white-faced fellers a playing and bucking around -and letting out wall-eyed bellers at their mammies, running out a ways -and then running back, tails up, at a speed that'd make a greyhound -blush for shame. - -There was other little colts too all a cavorting around and tearing up -good sod, but with all them calves and colts that was with the bunches -of cattle or horses scattered out on the range the same experience of -helplessness that Smoky was going thru had been theirs for a spell, and -a few hadn't been as lucky as Smoky in their first squint at daylight. -Them few had come to the range world when the ground was still covered -with snow, or else cold spring rains was a pouring down to wet 'em to -the bone. - -Smoky's mother had sneaked out of the bunch a few days before Smoky -came and hid in a lonely spot where she'd be sure that no cattle nor -horses or even riders would be around. In a few days and when Smoky -would be strong enough to lope out she'd go back again, but in the -meantime she wanted to be alone with her colt and put all her attention -on him without having to contend with chasing off big inquisitive -geldings or jealous fillies. - -She was of range blood which means mostly mustang with strains of -Steeldust or Coach throwed in; if hard winters come and the range was -covered with heavy snows she knowed of high ridges where the strong -winds kept a few spots bare and where feed could be got. If droughts -came to dry up the grass and water holes, she sniffed the air for -moisture and drifted out acrost the plain which was her home range to -the high mountains where things was more normal. There was cougars -and wolves in that high country but her mustang instinct made her the -"fittest." She circled around and never went under where the lion was -perched a waiting for her, and the wolf never found her where she could -be cornered. - -Smoky had inherited that same instinct of his mammy's, but on that -quiet spring morning he wasn't at all worried about enemies, his mammy -was there, and besides he had a hard job ahead that was taking all of -his mind to figger out, that was to stand on them long things which was -fastened to his body and which kept a spraddling out in all directions. - -The first thing to do was to gather 'em under him and try again, he did -that easy enough, and then he waited and gathered up all the strength -that was in him, he sniffed at the ground to make sure it was there and -then his head went up, his front feet stretched out in front of him, -and with his hind legs all under him he used all that strength he'd -been storing up and pushed himself up on his front feet, his hind legs -straightened up to steady him and as luck would have it there was just -enough distance between each leg to keep him up there. All he had to -do was to keep them legs stiff and from buckling up under him, which -wasn't at all easy, cause getting up to where he was had used up a lot -of his strength and them long legs of his was doing a heap of shaking. - -All would of been well maybe, only his mammy nickered "that's a good -boy," and that's what queered Smoky. His head went up proud as a -peacock and he forgot all about keeping his props stiff and under him. -Down he went the whole length of his legs, and there he layed the same -as before. - -But he didn't lay long this time. He either liked the sport of going up -and coming down or else he was getting peeved, he was up again, mighty -shaky, but he was up sure enough. His mammy came to him, she sniffed at -him and he sniffed back, then nature played another hand and he nursed, -the first nourishment was took in, his tummy warmed up and strength -came fast. Smoky was an hour and a half old and up to Stay. - -The rest of that day was full of events for Smoky, he explored the -whole country, went up big mountains two feet high, wide valleys six -or eight feet acrost and at one time was as far as twelve feet away -from his mammy all by himself. He shied at a rock once, it was a -dangerous _looking_ rock, and he kicked at it as he went past. All that -action being put on at once come pretty near being too much for him -and he come close to measuring his whole length on Mother Earth once -again. But luck was with him, and taking it all he had a mighty good -time; when the sun went to sinking over the blue ridges in the West, -Smoky, he missed all the beauty of the first sunset in his life, he -was stretched out full length, of his own accord this time, and sound -asleep. - -The night was a mighty good rival of what the day had been, all the -stars was out and showing off, and the braves was a chasing the buffalo -plum around the Big Dipper, the water hole of The Happy Hunting -Grounds, but all that was lost to Smoky, he was still asleep and -recuperating from his first day's adventures, and most likely he'd kept -on sleeping for a good long spell, only his mammy who was standing -guard over him happened to get a little too close and stepped on his -tail. - -Smoky must of been in the middle of some bad dream, his natural -instinct might of pictured some enemy to his mind, and something that -looked like a wolf or a bear must of had him cornered for sure. Anyway, -when he felt his tail pinched that way he figgered that when a feller -begins to _feel_ it's sure time to act, and he did. He shot up right -under his mammy's chin, let out a squeal, and stood there ready to -fight. He took in the country for _feet_ and _feet_ around and looking -for the enemy that'd nipped him and finally in his scouting around -that way he run acrost the shadow of his mammy,--that meant but one -thing, safety, and that accounted for and put away as past left room -for a craving he'd never noticed in his excitement. He was hungry, and -proceeded right then and there to take on a feed of his mammy's warm, -rich milk. - -The sky was beginning to get light in the East, the stars was fading -away and the buffalo hunters had went to rest, a few hours had passed -since Smoky had been woke up out of his bad dream and there he was, -asleep again. He'd missed his first sunset and now he was sleeping -thru his first sunrise, but he was going to be prepared for that new -day's run, and the strength he was accumulating through them sleeps and -between feeds would sure make him fit to cover a lot of territory. - -There wasn't a move out of him till the sun was well up and beginning -to throw a good heat. He stacked up on a lot of that heat, and pretty -soon one of his ears moved, then the other. He took a long breath and -stretched. Smoky was coming to life.--His mammy nickered, and that done -the trick, Smoky raised his head, looked around, and proceeded to get -up. After a little time that was done and bowing his neck he stretched -again. Smoky was ready for another day. - -The big day started right after Smoky had his feed, then his mother -went to grazing and moving away straight to the direction of some trees -a mile or so to the south. A clear spring was by them trees, and water -is what Smoky's mammy wanted the most right then. She was craving for -a drink of that cold water, but you'd never thought it by the way she -traveled. She'd nose around at the grass and wait for spells so as -little Smoky could keep up with her and still find time to investigate -everything what throwed a shadow. - -A baby cottontail had jumped up once right under his nose, stood there -a second too scared to move, and pretty soon made a high dive between -the colt's long legs and hit for his hole; Smoky never seen the rabbit -or even knowed he was there or he might of been running yet, cause -that's what he'd been looking for, an excuse to run. But he finally -made up an excuse and a while later as he brushed past a long dry weed -and it tickled his belly, he let out a squeal and went from there. - -His long legs tangled and untangled themselves as he run, and he was -sure making speed. Around and around he went and finally lined out -straight away from where his mammy was headed. She nickered for him -and waited, all patience. He turned after a spell and headed for his -mammy again the same as tho he'd run acrost another enemy at the other -end and as he got close to his mammy he let out a buck, a squeal, a -snort, and stopped,--he was sure some little wild horse. - -[Illustration: His long legs tangled and untangled themselves as he -run, and he was sure making speed.] - -It took a couple of hours for them two to make that mile to the spring. -The mother drank a lot of that good water, a few long breaths and drank -some more till the thirst was all gone. Smoky came over and nosed at -the pool, but he didn't take on any of the fluid, it looked just like -so much thin air to him, the same with the tender green grass that was -beginning to grow in bunches everywhere; it was just growing for him to -run on. - -The rest of that day was pretty well used up around that one spot; -adventures of all kinds was numerous for Smoky, and when he wasn't -stretched out and asleep there was plenty of big stumps in the -cottonwood grove that could be depended on to give him the scare he'd -be looking for. - -But there was other things and more threatening than stumps which -Smoky hadn't as yet spotted, like for instance,--a big cayote had -squatted and been watching him thru dead willow branches. He wasn't at -all interested in the action Smoky was putting into his play and only -wished the colt's mammy would move away a little further when he would -then take a chance and try to get him down,--colt meat was his favorite -dish and he sure wasn't going to let no chance slip by even if it took -a whole day's waiting for one to show itself. - -A couple of chances had come his way but they was queered by Smoky's -mammy being too close, and he knowed better than show himself and get -run down by them hoofs of hers. Finally, and when he seen his appetite -wouldn't win anything by sticking around that spot any longer, he took -a last sniff and came out of his hiding place. Keeping the willows -between him and the horses he loped out till he was at a safe running -distance and where he could see all around him and there he squatted -again, in plain sight this time. He hadn't quite made up his mind as -yet whether to go or stick around a while longer.--Just about then -Smoky spots him. - -To him, the cayote was just another stump, but more interesting than -the others he'd kicked at on account that this stump moved, and that -promised a lot of excitement. With a bowed neck and kinked tail Smoky -trotted up towards the cayote. The cayote just set there and waited and -when the colt got to within a few feet from him, he started away and -just fast enough so as the colt's curiosity would make him follow. If -he could only get the colt over the ridge and out of his mammy's sight. - -It all was only a lot of fun to Smoky, and besides he was bound to find -out what was that grey and yellow object that could move and run and -didn't at all look like his mammy. His instinct was warning him steady -as he went, but curiosity had the best of him, and it wasn't till he -was over the hill before his instinct got above his curiosity and he -seen that all wasn't well. - -The cayote had turned and quicker than a flash made a jump for Smoky's -throat.--The generations of mustang blood that'd fought the lobo and -cougar and which was the same blood that flowed in Smoky's veins is -all that saved the colt. That inherited instinct made him do the right -thing at the right time, he whirled quicker than lightning and let -fly with both hind feet with the result that the cayote's teeth just -pinched the skin under his jaws. But even at that, he wasn't going to -get rid of his enemy (it was a sure enough enemy this time) that easy, -and as he kicked he felt the weight of the cayote, and then a sharp -pain on his ham strings. - -Smoky was scared, and he let out a squeal that sure made every living -thing in that neighborhood set up and wonder, it was a plain and loud -distress signal, and it was answered. His mammy shot up the hill, took -in the goings-on at a glance, and ears back, teeth a shining, tore up -the earth and lit into the battle like a ton of dynamite. - -[Illustration: His mammy shot up the hill, took in the goings-on at a -glance, and ears back, teeth a shining, tore up the earth and lit into -the cayote like a ton of dynamite.] - -The battle was over in a second, and with hunks of yellow fur a flying -all directions it wound up in a chase. The cayote was in the lead and -he stayed in the lead till a second hill took him out of sight. - -Smoky was glad to follow his mammy back to the spring and on to the -other side a ways. He didn't shy at the stumps he passed on the way, -and the twig that tickled his tummy didn't bring no play, he was hungry -and tired, and when the first was tended to and his appetite called for -no more he lost no time to picking out a place to rest his weary bones. -A thin stream of blood was drying on one of his hind legs, but there -was no pain, and when the sun set and the shadow of his mammy spread -out over him he was sound asleep, and maybe dreaming of stumps, of -stumps that moved. - -When the sun came up the next morning, Smoky was up too, and eyes half -closed was standing still as the big boulder next to him and sunned -himself. A stiff hind leg was a reminder of what happened the day -before, but the experience was forgotten far as dampening his spirits -was concerned, even the stiffness wouldn't hold him back from whatever -the new day would hold. He'd always remember the cayote, and from then -on never mistake him for a stump, but that sure wasn't going to take -any play out of him. - -He was two days old now and strength had piled up fast, he felt there -was no trail too long for him and when the sun was a couple of hours -high that morning and his mother showed indications that she wanted to -drift he sure wasn't dragging along behind. The stiffness gradually -went out of his hind leg as he traveled, and by the afternoon of that -day he was again shying at everything and sometimes even shying at -nothing at all. - -They kept a traveling and traveling, and it seemed like to Smoky that -the trail was getting pretty long after all. They skirted the flat -along the foot of the mountains, crossed one high ridge, and many -creeks, and still his mother was drifting on. She wouldn't hardly even -stop for him to nurse, and Smoky was getting cranky, and tired. - -The pace kept up till the sun was well on its way down, when it -slackened some and finally the mother went to grazing. A short while -later Smoky was layed out full length and dead to the world. - -Smoky didn't know and didn't care much just then, but his mammy was -headed back to her home range, where there was lots of horses and other -little colts for him to play with, and when late that night she lined -out again traveling steady he wasn't in any too good a humor. - -Finally it seemed like they'd got there, for his mammy after watering -at a creek went to grazing at the edge of some big cottonwoods, she -showed no indications of wanting to go any further. Right there Smoky -was willing to take advantage of the chance and recuperate for all -he was worth, the sun came up, but Smoky was in the shade of the -cottonwoods what was beginning to leaf out. He slept on and a twitching -ear once in long spells is all that showed he was still alive. - -That day never seen much of him, once in a while he'd get up and nurse -but right away after he'd disappear again and stretch out flat on the -warm earth. - -He kept that up till way in the middle of the next night, and it was -well towards morning before he felt like he was all horse again. - -He come out of it in fine shape though, and he was stronger than ever. -His vision was taking more territory too, and he was getting so he -could see near half as far as his mammy could. She was the first to -see the bunch of range horses trailing in to water early that morning, -Smoky heard her nicker as she recognized the bunch and it drawed a heap -of interest as to what she was nickering about, for he was right there -alongside of her and he couldn't see nothing for her to nicker at, but -pretty soon he could hear the horses as they trailed towards him, his -ears straightened towards the sound and a while later he could make -out the shapes of 'em. Smoky just kind of quivered at the sight of so -many that looked like his mammy. He was all interested, but at the same -time and even tho his instinct told him that all was well he had no -hankering to leave his mammy's side till he knowed for sure just what -was up. - -The mother watched the bunch coming closer with ears pointed straight -ahead, but soon as some of the leaders discovered little Smoky there -was a commotion and they all begin crowding in to get a look at and -greet the newcomer, about which time the mother layed her ears back. It -was a warning that none of 'em come too close. - -Little Smoky's knees was a shaking under him at the sight of so many -of his kind, he leaned against his mammy half afraid, but his head was -up far as he could get it and facing 'em and showed by the shine in his -eyes that he liked the whole proceeding mighty well at that. He rubbed -nostrils with a strange gelding which was braver than the rest and -dared come close, and when that gelding was nipped at by his mammy he -had a mighty strong hankering to help her along just for fun, and nip -him himself. - -The preliminary introduction took a good hour, and the mother stood -guard; not for fear that any of 'em would harm Smoky, but she wanted -it understood from the start that he was her little colt and she had -the say over him. It finally _was_ understood, but it took all that day -and part of the next for the bunch to get used in having the new little -feller around and quit making a fuss over him. - -They was all jealous of one another and fought amongst themselves to be -the only one near him, and his mother, of course she'd declared herself -from the start, and it was took for granted from all around that her -place in Smoky's heart couldn't be considered, and all knowed better -than try and chase her away from him. Fillies and old mares, young -geldings and old ponies and all, had it out as to which was the most -fit to tag along and play with Smoky and keep a watchful eye over him -along with his mammy. All wanted the job, but a big buckskin saddle -horse who all the time had been the boss of the herd took it to hand -to show them that _he_ would be the all around guardeen for Smoky, and -second only to his mammy. He delivered a few swift kicks, pounded -on some ribs, left teeth marks on shiny hides, and after taking one -last look and making sure that all was persuaded grazed out towards -Smoky who by his mammy had watched the whole proceeding with a heap of -interest. - -There was three other little colts in the bunch besides Smoky, and each -time one of them little fellers came the buckskin horse had to whip the -bunch so as he'd have the say over the newest one. Now Smoky was the -newest one, and the buckskin horse had first rights as an outsider once -again. He was an old horse full of scars showing where he'd had many -a scrap, there was saddle marks on his back and at one time had been -a mighty fine cowhorse. Now he was pensioned, he'd more than earned a -rest and all he had to do for the rest of his life was to pick out good -feed grounds for the winter, shady places and tenderest green grass for -the summer, and his other interest in life was them little colts that -came in spring time. - -Smoky's mother was young, at least ten years younger than the buckskin -horse, but the buckskin was like a colt compared to her when it come to -be playful. She had the responsibility of Smoky and while she let him -play with her, kick or bite at her, she never played with him and once -in a while if he'd get too rough she'd let him know about it. She loved -little Smoky with all her heart and would of died for him any time, and -her main interest was to see that she kept in condition so that Smoky -would never be stunted by lacking of rich milk. She had no time for -play. - -And that's where the old buckskin came in. Him and Smoky was soon -acquainted, in a short while they was playing, Smoky would kick at him -while the big buckskin nipped him easy and careful along the flank, -then he'd run away from him, and the little colt had a lot of fun -chasing that big hunk of horseflesh all over the country. The rest -of the bunch would watch the two play and with no effort to hide how -jealous they felt. - -Smoky's mother kept her eye on the buckskin, but never interfered, she -knowed, and it was only when Smoky came back to her, tired and hungry, -that she put her ears back and warned him to keep away. - -It took a few days before the buckskin would allow any of the other -horses to get near Smoky, and then he had no say about it for he found -that Smoky had his own ideas about things, and if he wanted to mingle -in with the other horses that was his business, and all the buckskin -could do then was to try and keep the other horses away. That was quite -a job, specially if Smoky wanted to be with them. So the buckskin -finally had to give it up and do the best he could which was to see -that none of 'em done him any harm. But none of 'em had any intentions -of doing the little colt any harm, and as it was it looked like Smoky -had 'em all buffaloed. He'd tear in after some big horse like he was -going to eat him up and all that big horse would do was to scatter out -like the devil was after him. - -[Illustration: Smoky had 'em all buffaloed.] - -Smoky was the boss and pet of the herd for a good two weeks and then -one day, here comes another little feller, a little bay colt just two -days old and trailing in alongside his mammy. Smoky was left in the -background and witnessed the same fuss and commotion that was done -over him that morning by the creek. The buckskin horse once again -fought his way in that new little feller's heart, and right away he -forgot Smoky. - -But Smoky never seen anything wrong to that, he went on to playing with -every horse that would have him and it wasn't long till he picked up -with a young fillie and afterwards went to mingling with other young -colts. - -From then on Smoky had more freedom, he could go out a ways without -having some big overgrowed horse tagging along, but he never went far -and if he did he always came back a heap faster than when he started -out. But them spring days was great for Smoky, he found out a lot of -things amongst which was, that grass was good to eat, and water mighty -fine to drink when the day was hot, he seen cayotes again and the -bigger he got the less he was afraid of 'em till he finally went to -chasing every one of 'em he'd see. - -Then one day he run acrost another yellow animal. That animal didn't -look dangerous, and what's more it was hard for Smoky to make out just -what it was, and he was bound to find out. He followed that animal plum -to the edge of some willows, and the queer part of it was that animal -didn't seem at all in a hurry to get away, it was mumbling along and -just taking its time and Smoky was mighty tempted to plant one front -foot right in the middle of it and do some pawing, but as luck would -have it he didn't have the chance, it'd got in under some willows and -all that was sticking out was part of the animal's tail. Smoky took a -sniff at it without learning anything outside that it shook a little, -there didn't seem to be no danger, so the next sniff he took was a -little closer, and that done the trick. Smoky let out a squeal and a -snort as he felt his nostrils punctured in half a dozen places with -four-inch porcupine quills. - -But Smoky was lucky, for if he'd been a couple of inches closer there'd -been quills rammed into his nose plum up to his eyes, which would've -caused a swelling in such size that he couldn't of been able to eat and -most likely starve to death. As it was there was just a few of them -quills in his nostrils, and compared to the real dose he might of got, -it was just a mild warning to him. Another lesson. - -It was a few days later when he met another strange animal, or strange -animals, for there was many of 'em. He didn't get much interest out of -them somehow, but while they was handy maybe it was just as well for -him to have a close look at one. Besides he had nothing else to do, and -his mammy wasn't far away. - -His instinct had no warning to give as he strutted towards the smallest -one of the strangers which he'd picked to investigate. He wasn't afraid -of this animal and this animal didn't seem afraid of him so Smoky kept -a getting closer till one was within a couple of feet of the other. -Both Smoky and this stranger was young, and mighty inquisitive, and -neither as yet knowed that they'd sure be seeing plenty of each other's -kind as they get older, that they'll be meeting thru the round-ups at -the "cutting-grounds," on "day-herd" and on "night-guard," on the long, -hot, and dusty trails. A cowboy will be riding Smoky then and keeping -a whole herd on the move, a whole herd of the kind that little Smoky -was so busy investigating that day. They'll be full grown then, and -there'll be other young ones to take the place of them that's trailed -in to the shipping point. - -But Smoky wasn't as yet worried or even thought on what was to come, -neither was the little white-faced calf he was exchanging squints with, -and when the critter called her long-eared, split-hoofed baby to her -side, Smoky just kicked up his heels, put his head down, and bucked and -crowhopped all the way to where his mammy and the rest of the bunch was -grazing. - - - - - CHAPTER II - - SMOKY MEETS THE HUMAN - - -The long spring days followed by the warmer days of middle summer had -took away all signs of snow excepting where the peaks was highest and -the canyons deep and narrow. Up there was crusted hunks still holding -out against the sun and hugging the shady sides of rocky ledges, and -leaving out moisture that kept the springs and creeks running to the -flats below. - -The grass was greener up there, the flies wasn't so bad, and besides -there was always a breeze and sometimes a wind which made things mighty -cooling, specially in the shade of the twisted pines scattered over the -country where Smoky, his mammy, and the bunch was ranging. - -That high, rocky, and rough territory had a lot to do in the makings of -Smoky. Playing down the steep ridges where shale rock made the footing -slippery and mighty uncertain had took all the wobble and shake out of -his legs, they fit to his body more and rounded up in size so as they -looked like they really belonged to him. His hoofs had long ago lost -their pink soft shell and turned to steel grey and were near as hard -and tough as steel itself, and the way he'd buck and play down a rocky -canyon and jump over down timber, may not of compared with a mountain -goat for sureness, but he more than made up for that in speed and -recklessness, and somehow he'd always hit the bottom right side up. - -It was in one of them wild scrambles down a mountain side one day -that Smoky near run into a cinnamon cub which had been curled up and -sleeping on top of a big stump. Smoky stood in his tracks for a second, -and in that second the cub fell off the stump with a snarl and lit -arunning on the other side. - -The action of the cub is what decided Smoky whether to stand still, -turn back and high-tail it, or follow and investigate, but his -curiosity was still with him, and bowing his neck he paced high and -mighty on the trail of the hairy puzzle. - -Over dead timber he went, sailed acrost washes, and ducked under -branches. He was gaining and would of kept the chase up for quite a -spell, only, and just when things was getting real interesting, there -was a crash, and to his right a dust and a commotion which sounded -like a landslide. In half a second more, a big round brown head showed -itself thru a tangle of broken limbs and underbrush, Smoky got a -glimpse of two small eyes afire, long white teeth a gleaming, and when -all the sudden apparition was backed by a roar that near shook the -mountains, Smoky left. He tore a hole in the earth as he turned tail, -and he wasn't pacing high and mighty as he made distance and raced back -towards his mammy and safety. - -His heart was thumping fit to bust as he cleared the timber and got out -in open country, and for the life of him he couldn't figger out how -that little bunch of fur he'd been chasing could turn out into such -a scenery-tearing cyclone as what he'd got a glimpse of. He'd never -reckoned the little cub had a mammy too. - -But Smoky was learning fast, and along with his own experiences he -learned from his mother just what was what in the timber and on the -flats;--like another time on the foothills, his mammy was in the lead -and him following close behind on a hot dusty trail towards a shady -spot. Of a sudden there was a rattling sound, and just as sudden his -mammy left the trail as though she'd been shot. Instinct made Smoky do -the same and none too soon, for on the left just a foot or so off the -trail was a wriggling thing that'd just struck, and missed to reach his -ankle by an inch. - -Smoky stood off at a safe distance and snorted at it as it coiled up -ready. Somehow he had no hankering to go stick his nose nowheres near -or take a sniff at the grey and dirty yellow colored rattler, and when -his mammy nickered for him to follow there was a warning in her nicker, -he took another look at the snake. He'd remember, and do the same as -his mother had done whenever the rattling sound would be heard again. - -Taking in all, Smoky was getting mighty wise along with being mighty -lucky in getting that wisdom, scratches is about all he ever packed -out of any scramble, and scratches didn't count with him. His hide was -getting tough and the blood that flowed in his veins wasn't from a -heart that'd peter out very easy. - -The little horse was having a great time up in that high country, -and if he'd seen more of life, he'd most likely wondered how long -it all was going to last, it would of struck him as too good to last -much longer, but as it was, Smoky took in all that life could give -and enjoyed it to the limit. He never passed anything which had him -wondering for fear of missing something. If a limb cracked anywheres -within hearing distance he'd perk his ears towards the sound and seldom -would go on till he found out just why that limb cracked that way, he'd -follow and pester the badger till it'd hunt a hole, he'd circle around -a tree and watch the bushy tailed squirrel as it'd climb up out of his -reach.--Skunks had crossed his trail too, but somehow, the atmosphere -around 'em would sort of dampen his curiosity and he always kept his -distance. - -Smoky had met and had experiences with all the range country's wild -animals excepting the lion and the wolf. His mammy kept clear of -the territory where them outlaws ranged, and if by scent the bunch -suspicioned them two as neighbors they'd drift, or else keep on the -lookout till the others had drifted. Smoky met them too and had -scrambles with 'em, but that came later in his life, and it's a good -thing it was later, for I most likely wouldn't be telling about Smoky -now. - -The first big event of Smoky's life came when he was four months old. -There was nothing to tell him anything would happen, no dark skies nor -ill winds to threaten or warn, and as it was, the little feller was -just in the steady motion of keeping one end of himself clear of the -few flies that was around, that short tail of his was working like a -pendulum, he was standing up and asleep, the breeze blowed thru his -mane and that same breeze made a sort of lullaby as it passed thru the -branches of the big pine that shaded him and his mammy. - -His mammy was asleep too, and so was the rest of the bunch, and when -the cowboy that was riding up the canyon spotted 'em he knowed he could -get above 'em and be where he could start 'em down before any of the -bunch would see him. - -It was a mighty good thing he done that, for soon as one of the bunch -got wind of him and raised a head, there was a snort, they came to life -and was on the run in a split second. Down the side of the canyon they -went, a cloud of dust and the cowboy following. - -Smoky was right with the bunch from the start, he stampeded with the -leader and once in his life it never came to him to wonder what it was -all about, he just run and plum forgot to investigate. - -Tails was a popping as the horses slid off the mountain, jumped off -ledges and sailed acrost washouts. Loosened rocks bumped against -boulders, boulders crashed into dead hanging timber and pretty soon a -landslide brought up the rear, but even that was too slow. The ponies -and the cowboy behind 'em hit the bottom of the canyon first, and when -the slide reached that spot and filled the canyon with ten feet of -boulders, timber, and dirt, the whole wild bunch was half a mile away -and kicking up dust on the foothills at the edge of the flat. - -It was away out on the flat and where the dust wasn't so thick that -Smoky took a back slant over his withers and got his first sight of -the human. The way his mammy and the rest of the bunch acted, the way -they run and tried to dodge or leave that human behind sure put the -impression in Smoky's mind that here was a different kind of animal, -the kind that no horse would stop to fight or argue with but instead -run away from, if it was possible. - -But it didn't seem possible, for the rider was still right on their -tails, and stayed there till he drove 'em into the long wings of big -log corrals which to Smoky seemed like trees growing sideways instead -of up and down. But the little horse knowed that there was no going -thru them trees. He stuck close as he could to his mammy's side, she -and the bunch milled around for a spell around the big pen, the big -gate closed on 'em and wild eyed the bunch turned and faced a bow -legged, leather covered, sunburnt human. - -Smoky shivered as he watched that strange crethure get off one of his -kin, a horse just like any of the bunch him and his mammy was running -with, all excepting for that funny hunk of leather on his back; pretty -soon the human fumbled around a while and then that hunk of leather -was pulled off, the horse was turned loose, shook himself, and walked -towards Smoky and the bunch. - -The colt was stary-eyed and never missed a thing, and soon as the loose -horse came his way he took a sniff at his sweaty hide for some kind of -a clue as to just what had been setting on him all thru that long run. -The sniff left him more puzzled than ever, and forgetting the horse he -put all his attention on the crethure which was standing up and on two -legs. - -There'd been a lot of lightning up in the mountains where Smoky had -been ranging that summer, he'd seen some fires up there too. That -lightning and them fires was great puzzles to the colt, and when he -seen the human make a swift move with a paw, and then seen a fire in -one of them paws, and later on, smoke coming out of the mouth, it all -made things more than ever impossible for him to figger out. He stood -petrified, and watched. - -Pretty soon, them same paws that'd held the fire, reached down and -picked up a coil of rope, a loop was made, and then the human walked -towards him and the bunch. At that move the bunch tore around the -corral and raised the dust; then Smoky heard the hiss of a rope as it -sailed over past him and the loop settled on one of the ponies' heads. -The pony was stopped and led out to the hunk of leather on the ground, -it was cinched on him the same as it'd been on the other horse, and -when the human climbed on is when Smoky first set eyes on one of his -kind in a fight with the two-legged crethure. - -It was a great sight to the colt. He'd seen some of his bunch play -and kick often, and he'd done a lot of that himself, but he'd never -seen any get in the position and tear things up the way that pony was -doing. He knowed that pony was fighting, bucking for all he was worth, -and doing his daggonedest to shed that sticking and ill built wonder -that was on top of him. Smoky watched and shook when he heard the pony -beller. He'd never heard one of his kind make that noise before, and -he knowed without wondering just what the beller meant. He remembered -doing near the same that time when the cayote had nipped him in the ham -strings. - -Smoky's eyes was blazing as he watched on thru the fight and the pony's -hard jumps dwindled down to crowhops and then a stop. He watched the -man as he got off the horse, opened the gate, lead the horse out and -after closing it, watched him ride on and out of sight. It wasn't -till then that he came back to himself and it come to his mind to -investigate the kind of place it was that cooped him in. He rubbed -noses with his mammy and went to scouting around the big corral. Long -strands of mane which had caught in slivers of the logs told him -there'd been lots of horses here before, sniffs at the ground and more -sniffs at pieces of calves' ears that'd been cut while earmarking -reminded him of the critter he'd seen while he was only a couple of -weeks old. Many calves had been branded in the big corral, and with all -them signs which was plain enough reading to Smoky it only made him all -the more suspicious and spooky. - -He was trying to get up enough nerve to go near and take a sniff at a -pair of chaps hanging on the corral gate, when he noticed a dust, and -under it a band of horses being hazed towards the corral he was in. -With that band was a half dozen riders or more, and the sight of them -made Smoky high-tail to his mammy's side in a hurry. Once there, he -took in all that could be seen and watched the riders drive the horses -thru the gate and turn' em in with his bunch. There was a lot of dust, -milling around, and confusion, for there was now near two hundred head -of horses in the one big corral, but to Smoky all that company was -mighty welcome, they meant more protection, he could hide better in -that big bunch and be able to always keep some of the horses between -him and them two-legged crethures. - -He kept hid as well as he could while the bunch milled around the -corral, and in a short while, as he watched thru the horses' legs, he -seen where on the outside and close to the pen a fire was started, -long bars of iron was passed thru between the logs and one end of 'em -sticking in the hot blaze. Then, pretty soon a commotion was stirred, -and the bunch went to racing around the corral and snorting. Many was -cut out into another corral, till there was only about fifty left, -mostly young colts about Smoky's age, and a few quiet old mares. - -Smoky had no chance to hide, and as he seen the bow-legged humans -uncoil long ropes and heard the loops whiz past him at the speed of a -bullet, terror struck in his heart and he was ready to leave the earth. -He heard some of the colts squeal as they was snared, throwed, and tied -down, and that sure didn't help to ease the fear that'd took hold of -him. - -He was doing his best and keeping as far out of reach as he could but -it seemed like them crethures was everywhere, and no place where them -long ropes couldn't reach. It was during one of his wild scrambles for -a get away that Smoky heard the close hiss of a rope, and like a snake -coiled itself around both his front legs, he let out a squeal, and in -another second he was flat to the ground and four feet tied up. - -Smoky figgered the end of the world had come as he felt the human touch -him, and if it'd been in his blood to faint away, he'd a done it easy, -but as it was he never missed a thing. He seen one of the crethures run -towards him with a hot iron, smelled burning hair and hide--it was his -own that burned, but it felt cool and there was no pain, for he was at -the stage where the searing iron was no worse than a touch from the -human hand. But there's an end to all, whether it's good or bad, and -pretty soon, Smoky felt the ropes come off his legs, a boost to let -him know that all was over, and when he stood up and run back to the -bunch, there was a mark on his slick hide that was there for life,--as -the brand read, the little horse belonged to the Rocking R outfit. - -It was all a mighty great relief to Smoky and the other colts when the -branding come to an end, the bunch all put back together, and when the -colts found their mammies all was turned out and free again, free to go -back to the high mountain range, or run on the flats. - -Smoky's mammy took the lead, and after the rest of the bunch was thru -parleying with the strange horses they joined in with her and the colt -and all strung out for the foothills. The next day they all was up in -high country again and everything of the day before was forgotten, -forgotten, all excepting with Smoky and the other little colts. They -still remembered some, on account that it had all been mighty new to -'em, and besides, the sting of the fresh brand was there on their left -thigh to remind. - -But as the days went by, and new things happened right along to draw -Smoky's interest in life, the happenings at the corral was gradually -left behind like a bad dream; the burn healed quick and left a neat -brand all of which growed right with him. - -Fall came, skies clouded and the rains was getting cold, and each time -it cleared up again it was a little colder, the sun wasn't making as -high a circle and was steady losing some of its heat, and when after -a few mornings' frost the skies clouded again and the wind blowed a -light snow over the high pinnacles, the bunch gradually ranged lower -and lower, till, when they reached the foothills and finally the flats, -the first of the winter had set in and it was time for 'em to drift to -their winter range. - -Their winter range was low ridges and benches that raised up in the -middle of the prairie. There was steep ravines where willows and -cottonwoods growed in big patches, the shelter of them was mighty fine -when the cold north winds blowed and the howling blizzard made every -living thing hunt a hole. Tall grass was there too and could always be -reached by pawing for it. In quiet winter days, when the sun came out -and the wind went down the bunch could always leave their shelter and -find places on the ridges where the winds had swept the snow away, and -where the grass was in plain sight. - -Drifting acrost that flat open country and investigating that new -winter territory had kept Smoky's eyes, ears, and nostrils mighty busy. -There'd been a lot to keep him looking, listening, and sniffing. Every -buffalo wallow, coulee, and rise had kept his senses on hair trigger -edge, and when the first snow had come, he'd enjoyed that too. It made -him want to buck and play as it fell on his withers and rump, and along -with the cold weather that'd turned the range brown and then white he -was finding more ambition to keep on the jump. He wasn't looking for -shade no more. - -If Smoky minded the cold he sure didn't show it, and if you could of -felt his warm hide and seen how thick the hair had growed on it, and -how long, you'd never wondered why it was that the cold raw winds never -fazed him. Mother Nature had seen to that and brought on the winter -gradual, till, when the time come for it to set in, Smoky was well -prepared, he was packing a natural fur coat on a good thick hide, and -with an inch of tallow for a lining, and along with the rich, thick -blood which he kept in good circulation he was mighty able to compete -with the snows and freezing weather, and was never found to hunt -shelter till the blizzard blowed over the ridges from the north. - -He pawed snow for his feed that winter, for it had been quite a few -months before when he found that his mammy's milk wasn't quite enough, -and later turned out to be just a taste, and finally, she give him to -understand that he was weaned. There was no arguing with her, and Smoky -knowed better than try, so he pawed and hunted for grass like a big -horse. He et snow and could stay away from water as long as any of the -bunch, and even tho he lost some of his roundness thru the worst of the -winter, you couldn't of noticed it on account of his hair being so long. - -Being that Smoky was still quite a privileged character it helped him -considerable thru them long winter months, if he'd see some big horse -dig down into a special good grassy spot, he'd take advantage of his -standing and chase the big horse away. He looked mighty wicked as he -put his ears down, showed his teeth, and delivered a side kick, and the -big horse would _act_ scared to death, and get away from the dangerous -Smoky in a hurry. There was only one in the bunch that wouldn't scare -worth a bit, and that was his mammy, he could paw in the same hole -with her and maybe steal a bunch of grass right from under her nose, -but there was no chasing _her_ away, most likely there was no such -intentions in Smoky's mind anyhow, for the little horse did think an -awful lot of that mammy of his, and even tho she never played with him, -and even nipped him for some things he'd do, he knowed if a showdown -ever come she'd fight to a finish for him. - -So, as the snows piled high and the ravines filled with drifts, Smoky -went on and passed the hard of the winter in near the same carefree -reckless way he'd passed the summer before. Of course, pawing for his -feed the way he had to was taking some of his energy, but he'd manage -to reserve some for play, and many is the time when you'd see the bunch -a pawing all intent to reaching the grass, you'd see Smoky tearing up -clouds of light snow and a playing for all he was worth. Other colts -would join him, and pretty soon the young ones would have the white -scenery all tracked the same as if a thousand head of horses had -stampeded thru. - -The winter wore on that way, no events came to shake the quiet and -peace of that part of the range, only, one day a rider had showed up -against the skyline. Smoky had been the only one to see him on account -he was a little ways from the bunch and where he could see around a -point. With the sight of that rider Smoky remembered ropes, a corral -and human hands, and he sashayed back to the bunch fast as his legs -could carry him. - -Finally, the first sign of spring came, Smoky couldn't appreciate it -very much on account that the warm winds which was starting the snow -to melting only left him weak and lazy. His blood hadn't started to -thin down as yet, and for the first short spell in his life, he had no -hankering to crowhop around and play. - -Then a few weeks later the bare earth begin to show in big spots and on -the sunny side of the buttes green grass begin to shoot up. That new -green grass tasted mighty good to Smoky, it tasted so good that the dry -feed he'd wintered on and which could now be got without pawing for, -was only stepped on in hunting for them first blades of green. Nothing -but that would do, and as it was still scarce and hard to find that -early in the year he covered a lot of territory and got very little -feed. - -But the rest of the bunch was afflicted the same way, the long dry -grass wasn't good enough no more, and consequences is the bunch lost -some weight. But Mother Nature was on hand there again, she knowed -that's what the bunch needed to condition 'em for the change of -season, and sure enough, pretty soon the warm weather didn't leave 'em -so drowsy no more, and as the grass kept a growing, and finally got -to be everywhere, on the ridges as on the flats, the bunch perked up -again; the long winter hair was loosening and big hunks of it was left -wherever they rolled. - -Smoky's winter coat had faded to a brown at the first sign of spring, -and now that the warmer weather had come and green grass was a plenty -there was another color showed where he'd shed off the long hair. It -was what we call "mouse color" only maybe darker, no more of the slick -black hair that decorated his hide the summer before could be seen, the -change of color had showed itself around his ears and flanks but it -wasn't till winter came that the real change had took place and turned -him to a grayish mouse color. - -His head and legs was a little darker than his body and showed brown, -and with that little blaze face of his a looming up, he made a mighty -pretty picture, a picture of the kind once you see you never forget; -for Smoky was perfect any way you looked at him and it seemed like as -you sized him up that the other of his kind hadn't been played square -with and some of their good points stole away so as Smoky would be the -perfect little horse. - -Smoky had never thought of his good looks and strong body, his good -looks was only a sign of his good health, he felt it all and used it -to the limit for his own benefit and for whatever fun his strength -and energy could afford him. That never lacked, and if he layed -down it was seldom because he was tired, it was more thru a hint from -Mother Nature for him to hold on a while and store up on life and more -strength. - -The spring rains came and went, and each time after each spell of -moisture the grass was a little taller and the country greener, the sun -kept a getting warmer too and some days was already hot. - -It was during one of these hot days that Smoky's mother disappeared. -Smoky had been snoozing in the shade of a creek bank and it wasn't till -quite a while after he got up and started grazing that he noticed she -was gone. The bunch had been drifting back for the summer range and -was at the foothills of the big range, the big flat below was an easy -place to spot any moving object on, but Smoky couldn't find hide nor -hair of that mammy of his, he trotted around the bunch and, nickering, -investigated for a spell. She couldn't be found. - -He took another look at the country around, and nickering in kind of -wonder, he went to grazing again. Somehow he wasn't fidgety as he -should of been, maybe he had a hunch that her disappearing that way was -necessary and that all was hunkydory. Anyway Smoky never missed any -sleep, or feed, or play while she was gone, things went on just the -same, and the little horse's hide was getting slicker every day. - -A few days passed, and then one morning the big buckskin horse that was -still in the bunch perked up his ears, nickered, and loped out towards -the flat. A horse was out there and coming towards the bunch, alongside -the horse was a little moving object. - -Smoky and the bunch stood in their tracks and watched. Pretty soon -Smoky noticed something familiar in that lone horse coming towards -him, but that little object a tagging along puzzled him, and head up, -he trotted out a ways to investigate. Then it all came to him, for the -lone horse was none other than his mammy. - -He lit out on a run a nickering as he went till he got to within a few -feet of her, and then he got a slant at the object a tagging alongside, -a brand new little wobblety legged colt it was, shining black, and -awful timid at the sight of so many strangers. It was Smoky's new -little brother. - -Smoky couldn't keep his nose off the baby, and his mammy had to cock -one ear back at him the same as to say "careful, Son," but Smoky was -careful, and as his mammy went on to join the bunch, he followed and -the big buckskin brought up the rear. From then on Smoky ranked second. - -[Illustration: And as his mammy went to join the bunch, he followed and -the big buckskin bought up the rear. From then on Smoky ranked second.] - - - - - CHAPTER III - - WHERE THE TRAILS FORK - - -Middle summer had come, the day was hot and still; even up amongst the -high peaks and where the snow was making a last stand the heat was -strong, for the sun was shooting straight down and the crags could -give no more shade. Up on a rocky trail of that country a small bunch -of range horses was drifting one behind the other and following the -leader,--the leader was Smoky's mammy, the new little black colt right -at her heels and next the blaze faced, mouse colored, yearling, Smoky. -A little further back was a big buckskin horse and there followed eight -or ten others which made up the rest of the bunch. - -They all trailed along seemed like headed for nowheres in particular. -They passed under wind-twisted trees and right on thru the shade they'd -give. Cool streams wasn't even sniffed at, and the long stems of grass -that was everywhere wasn't at all noticed, they was all just drifting -and maybe only hitting out for another special good part of the high -range.--A feller watching 'em would of figgered that something or -other had started 'em on the move, maybe a rider had been spotted that -morning which had kettled 'em into a run, or else cougars might of been -too numerous for comfort. - -The little bunch kept a trailing along till they came to where the -trail branched and the leader took the lower one, the little black colt -and all the rest followed, all excepting the mouse colored yearling. -The upper trail had drawed that one's interest, and nothing would do -but what he had to investigate it for a ways. He kept his nose on the -ground as he went and sniffed for clues of anything that might be -of interest to him, he could see the bunch below and he figgered on -cutting across to 'em soon as his curiosity was satisfied. - -Ahead of him a ways and above the trail was a big granite boulder a -good ten feet high. A scrub mahogany had found root in a crack of the -big rock and was spreading its branches well over it and making a good -shade. In that shade and mighty hard to notice, was an object, a long, -flat, dark buckskin object, which looked a lot like part of the rock. -It was stretched out full length and seemed like without life only -maybe for the tip of its long, round tail which was jerking up and -down. The round head raised an inch at the sound of hoofs on the rocky -trail, the ears flattened and the yellow eyes turned jet black at the -sight of Smoky, the mouse colored yearling. - -Smoky was coming right on the trail and would pass to within a couple -of feet of the big rock that was the mountain lion's game hunting -perch, many a deer he'd pounced onto and killed from that perch; and -not far away from that spot was bones scattered around which showed -where he'd drug his victims and et his fill. Wolves, cayotes, and other -varmints had cleaned up what the big lion would leave and the result -was white bones a shining to the sun. - -The lion had a big territory which he claimed as his, but in all that -rough country there was no better place than the one he was now getting -ready to spring from, he'd got meat from that spot when he failed at -others, and the trail he overlooked was tracked with many hoofs, hoofs -of all the kind that ranged up there,--it was a main trail to a main -pass. - -Why Smoky's mother didn't take that trail can't be explained much; may -be it was instinct that warned her, and then again she might of got a -glimpse of the tall rock and past experience made her turn to the left, -but anyway she and her young colt and the rest of the bunch was safe -and had left Smoky till he was thru investigating and ready to catch up -with 'em. - -Smoky kept on a coming and edging closer to the rock, he nosed every -twig and stone along the trail till he got to within a few feet of -the spot where the lion would spring. The lion wasn't a stretched out -shadow no more. He still looked like part of the rock and fitted pretty -well with the stump of the scrub mahogany, but he was in a position -that sure tallied up with all what was about to happen. He was ready, -and still as the rock he was on, and the quiver of his long tail was -a plenty to show that his wiry frame and brain was sure together and -intent on one thing. - -Another foot ahead and Smoky would be seeing his last of daylight, the -colt had one leg raised to make that last step when there's a rattling -buzz comes from the foot of the rock, a four foot rattlesnake stretched -out and reaches for Smoky's nose and that one leg which was raised to -go forward went back instead. It was all that saved him. - -The lion had figgered on his victim a jumping to one side at his leap, -and he'd allowed for that, but the way it happened this time was that -the snake caused Smoky to jump away just as he'd started which was a -little too soon according to the lion's figgering, and what's more -Smoky went to the wrong direction about a foot with the result that he -just got his claws full of Smoky's mane and no more. He scrambled in -mid air and done his best to get a hold in Smoky's neck but even with -all the action he put in his trying he struck mostly air, and then hard -ground. - -[Illustration: The lion had figgered on his victim a jumping to one -side at his leap, and he'd allowed for that.] - -Smoky never waited to see if that flying shadow of sharp claws was -after him or not, he'd started at the sound of the rattler and had kept -a moving mighty fast ever since. A few feet of drop in the scenery only -helped him make more speed and the short cut from the trail he'd left -to the trail his mammy and the bunch was on was covered in no time. - -He lit in the bunch a running, and the bunch getting a hint from his -wild eyed actions that all wasn't well started a running too and for a -ways they all went as tho the devil was after 'em. - -But the devil (if that ain't too mild a name for the lion) wasn't after -'em. He knowed the colt had too much speed for him and never even -thought of following him, and as it was he was just a lashing himself -with his long tail and mad clear thru at the thought of missing such a -nice fat yearling colt as Smoky was. - -From that day on Smoky dodged high rocks unless he could see the top -of 'em, pine trees with stout lower limbs had him a circling too, or -any other place where a lion could perch on and spring from. The little -horse was gradually getting so he was satisfied to be more with the -bunch and not do so much investigating, besides he'd got first hand -acquaintance with most all that prowled the range, and everything in -general was getting to be less of a puzzle to him. - -It all kept a getting to be less of a puzzle to him till finally there -come a time when Smoky got so he thought he knowed it all. He figgered -he had the world by the tail and with a downhill push. Like all the -other colts of his age he was just where conceit had the best of him, -he got strong headed and full of mischief, and then's when the older -horses figgered him to be a regular pest and begin knocking on him. - -[Illustration: He got strong headed and full of mischief, and then's -when the older horses figgered him to be a regular pest.] - -He was getting to be of a size that could stand knocks too. They all -took turns at him and pounded on his ribs every chance they had thru -the rest of that summer and tried to set him where he belonged; but it -was slow work and Smoky was still getting away with some of the bluffs -when the first snows came. He was ornery all that winter, and even -tho none of the horses would let him steal the grass they pawed up he -aggravated 'em a lot by making 'em think he would; and when they'd kick -at him, and miss, there was some more about his actions that sure let -em know he was getting away with something. - -Then one day a strange horse showed up on the skyline and joined the -bunch. A strange horse is always sort of timid when first joining a -new bunch that way, and Smoky took advantage of that to show there was -at least one he had buffaloed,--he run the stranger around and around -and kept a nipping him on the rump till the old pony was on the point -of leaving and hunt new territory. That sport lasted off and on for a -few days, and then one day the older horse turned and lit into Smoky. -There was no battle, for Smoky was just running a bluff, and at the -first turn of the events he evaporated and kept on evaporating till the -stranger got cooled down a bit. After that Smoky kept his distance and -acted willing to let the stranger stay with the bunch. - -The winter wore on that way, and as Smoky was met hard at every ornery -thing he'd do it all got to finally leave an impression on him and he -gradually lost _some_ of his conceit and hard headedness. But Spring -came, other seasons and all kinds of weather followed and it wasn't -till Smoky was a three year old that he really come anywheres living -up to good range horse etiquette. There was so much life wrapped up in -that pony's hide that it was mighty hard for him to settle down and -behave, and even as a three year old he sometimes had to bust out and -do things that wasn't at all proper and which made the old horses set -their ears back and show their teeth. - - * * * * * - -The start of Smoky's third year was all to his favor,--the spring rains -was warmer than on average, the green grass shot up half an inch to -the day and more than met up with the hard to satisfy appetite which -was his, consequences is, when he shed off his long winter coat he was -slicker and rounder than ever and looked like he was wrapped up in fine -mouse colored silk. His blazed face loomed up snow white and to match -his trim ankles. He was a picture to make any cowboy miss a few heart -beats as he sometimes raced acrost the prairie sod and with head and -tail up showed off the qualities that stuck out at his every move. - -But to the bunch, all them qualities and good points of Smoky's was -lost and not at all noticed, his mammy or any of the others would of -thought just as much of him if he was just an ordinary horse or even an -ill built scrub. They'd all liked him better if he wasn't so ornery and -didn't need so much convincing, for Smoky was getting to be of a size -and temper along with it where it was mighty hard for some to try to -eddicate him and _show_ that they could. - -His eddication kept on tho for there was still a few that packed a -convincing hoof, but them few was dwindling down fast and Smoky was -steady getting where he could hold his own with most any of 'em, till -finally, and after many showdowns there came a time when there was only -two left in the bunch that he wouldn't stop and argue with, them two -was his mammy and the big buckskin. - -Smoky felt some superior and mighty proud then for a while, and it's -a good thing he was a little wiser and quieter and not so full of -mischief no more or he'd sure dealt them ponies misery; as it was he -was now willing to leave them alone if they'd do the same by him. - -Things went on that way for some time and as the days went by, the -bunch was getting to be more willing to accept Smoky as a full size -range horse with brains according. None tried to eddicate him no more, -and if once in a while he showed young blood and some foolishness they -was all careful to overlook it, of course Smoky was wise enough to keep -away from his mammy and the buckskin at them times. - -Peace was with the little bunch, all had some understanding and every -horse knowed his ground. It was all so peaceful that Smoky felt it and -it all begin to wear on him to the point where he felt like tackling -the big buckskin, just to start something--then relief came one day and -scattered that peaceful monotony from hell to breakfast. - -It all happened as the little bunch strung out, was heading for water, -Smoky's mammy was in the lead as usual, and she was the first to turn -the point of a ridge and find herself to within a few yards of a big -black stud. Smoky was close second on the sight, and somehow as he -snorted at the long-maned thick-jawed black a hunch came to him that -peace had come to a sudden end. - -He stood in his tracks kinda doubtful as to what to do and watched -the black cloud of horseflesh, he'd let the stallion make the first -false move--Proud as a peacock came the black, mane and tail a waving -and stepping high, his little bunch of mares and colts had stayed -back at the first sight of the strange ones and was now watching the -proceedings of the meeting. - -That meeting impressed the young horses a whole lot, the white of their -eyes showed with interest as the stud came up to within a few paces -of the new bunch, stopped, and with a powerful neck bowed to a half -circle, ears pointed ahead, and eyes a shining, stood and sized up the -strangers. - -He'd had plenty of experience in meeting strange bunches that way -before which all left him kinda cautious, for many a time he'd left -quicker than he'd come and lost some hide to an older stud what was -more up to the game of fighting, and he soon learned that it wasn't a -wise idea to ram into a strange bunch and go to appropriating mares -without first investigating what kind of a leader that bunch had. - -He'd got wised up in many ways thru them meetings, and he learned to -be some careful. He'd also learned to handle his hoofs and teeth till -there hadn't been any stud on that range that'd been able to whip him -the last three years--he'd evened up scores. - -Smoky hadn't moved, and as the stud still kept a standing in one spot -with no indication of wanting to start anything, he got restless. -Pretty soon it came to his mind that the stallion was leary of starting -anything. It was a big mistake, but Smoky'd had no way of knowing -better. The big buckskin did know better and if Smoky had noticed, he'd -seen him out there on the far side of the bunch, and willing to keep -neutral. - -A move from the black stud decided Smoky. He'd stepped close to his -mammy and nostril to nostril was exchanging sniffs with her when she -let out a squeal and struck at him, all of which the stallion didn't -pay any attention to. But right about then Smoky landed on him, or, _at -him_, for his striking front feet and bared sharp teeth missed him, -missed him just enough to be a clean miss. - -Smoky had never reckoned with the fighting qualities of a stallion, and -he couldn't figger out how it was he'd struck just thin air when he -was so sure his enemy had been right there in front of him and within -easy reaching distance, and what's more that puzzled him was that the -stallion never offered to show fight when he landed at him so furious, -instead he'd just got out of the way of his rush, kept his ears ahead, -and went on sizing up the bunch the same as if nothing had happened. -Smoky felt like he hadn't even been noticed, and the actions of the -stud had said plainer than words "fool kid." - -A swift kick in the ribs couldn't of done any better towards putting -Smoky down a peg or two, and that simple quick move of the stud's went -a long ways to show what could of happened if he'd been in mind to -fight. All that left Smoky kinda uncertain as to how to proceed, he -didn't know whether to go back and try it again or let things rest for -a spell till another chance showed up. - -In the meantime the black stud had found out that there was none in -that bunch he'd need to watch, and head down to the ground, ears back, -he started cutting out the geldings, keeping the mares and fillies to -put in with the bunch he already had. That was a harder job than it -might sound here, for none of the geldings wanted to be cut out of the -bunch they'd been with so long, and even tho they went out easy enough -they'd turn back as the stud would be cutting out another and would -have to be headed off and cut out again and again. - -Then the big buckskin which had been neutral all this time finally got -riled up at being separated from the mares that way and when the stud -headed for him he stood his ground. A few seconds more and there was -buckskin and black hair a sailing in the air, then hoofs a pounding -away which would of kept up with machine-gun fire for speed, only the -pounding wasn't sounding so sharp it was hitting something solid, and -there wasn't many misses. - -Finally out of the dust that was stirred there came a streak of -buckskin and right close to it was a streak of black, away from the -herd they went, and pretty soon the black stud came back shaking his -head the same as to let every horse know that he wasn't going to stand -for no foolishness. - -There was one more to be put out of the bunch, he was that mouse -colored gelding, Smoky. He'd got in while the stud was chasing away the -buckskin, he'd stood alongside his mammy and watched the fight, and -there was a light in his eyes that showed he was ready to start another -battle if it was necessary, but he sure wasn't going to be put out -without he was convinced it could be done,--he wasn't built that way. - -The stallion spots him there and never went thru no preliminaries nor -tried to scare him out with just a look, he dived right into him and -Smoky met him halfways. That battle was short and wicked and Smoky -managed to land some good hard kicks, kicks that'd knocked the wind out -of any ordinary horse and sent 'em a sprawling; but the stallion wasn't -no ordinary horse and them kicks only shook him a little and made him -all the madder. He'd fought too many hard battles to let any gelding -faze him and besides he was in the habit of winning. - -His chance came when Smoky turned to land a couple more hard ones. -The stud was broadside to the gelding, and as the hard ones came, he -just reared up out of the reach of 'em, made a big lunge to one side -and coming down he made a quick grab and fastened his teeth in Smoky's -withers. When Smoky pulled away and the stud's teeth snapped together -there was some of his silky hide between 'em. - -Smoky squealed and kicked some more, then he whirled and faced the stud -figgering on doing some damage with teeth and front hoofs. Just about -then the stud whirled too and planted his two hind hoofs smack bang -into Smoky's ribs. There was an echo which sounded like a steam engine -ramming into a stone wall, that echo was followed with a mighty grunt -as Smoky was lifted off his feet and throwed out a ways to a staggering -standstill. - -Smoky was in a daze, his vision was dim, and maybe it was all instinct -that warned him of the dark cloud that's turned and was now a tearing -down on him, anyway something made him move in a hurry, all the -strength that was left in him was used to make distance away from the -black devil which now looked to Smoky like a big centipede, it had so -many legs. - -His life depended in the speed he could make, and Smoky was running, -running like he'd never run before, it seemed like there was no shaking -the mad stud, and just when he was on the point of giving in and make -a last stand for his life that destroying hunk of horseflesh left -him--When Smoky stopped, looked back and seen the stud high-tail it -back to the mares he had no hankering to follow, he was convinced. - - * * * * * - -The next few days that followed was mighty aimless to Smoky, him and -the big buckskin had formed a pardnership in that time and the two -wandered around like they was lost and didn't care where they went. -They covered a lot of territory, passed up a lot of good grassy hollows -and shady places but they kept a drifting on. They grazed as they -drifted and natural like followed up the canyons and crossed over the -high passes that'd been the summer range of Smoky's mammy and the -bunch. - -They came acrost other little bunches, but it seemed like in each of -'em there was a wild-eyed thick-jawed stud come out ready to kick the -daylight out of 'em if any symptoms of them wanting to trail in with -the bunch was showed. - -In their roaming around they passed other geldings which like -themselves had been kicked out of the stud bunches; the meeting with -them was just plain "how-dedo's" and each and all passed on and headed -their own wandering way.--All would be hunkydory again for the buckskin -if he could find another bunch to run with where there was mares and -little colts. He had a mighty strong failing for the little fellers -and most any bunch would do if there was only a few of them in, but -with Smoky, it was his mammy he missed most, his brother, and the other -colts he'd growed up with. - -No other bunch would do as well, and the nicker he'd send echoing -acrost canyons and over ridges every once in a while was just for them -certain few. - -Smoky's mammy had no choice when that black stallion came and scattered -them out to his liking that way. She was made to join that little bunch -of his and she knowed better than try to do different; she knowed she'd -only lose some hide in any attempt to get away and that in the long run -she'd have to do as he pointed out. - -She was wise to the range and the ways of her kind, and even tho she -was as strong for Smoky as Smoky was for her she didn't miss him so -much as he did her. She felt in a way that he was now big and mighty -able to take care of himself, and then there was other youngsters which -called for all her attention. But it was different with Smoky, she was -his mammy and there was none other that could take her place. He'd -growed up at her side and even tho other little colts had come she was -and always would be the mother he knowed when he was wobblety legged -and needed her. - -Then one day and as time had wore on in lonesomeness that way, there -came a short break in the monotony which helped Smoky forget some. Him -and the buckskin had run acrost a little bunch of mares,--there was -some little colts in the bunch, and a stud, a young stud. - -The big buckskin sized up the stud the same as he'd sized all the -others he'd met, and as this young feller came up full of pride and -confidence to meet the two strangers, the big buckskin found a flaw in -him,--the flaw was nothing more or less than just _youth_, he showed -it in every move he made and every action.--From past experience the -buckskin had figgered youth and ignorance to go together, and that's -what made it interesting. - -Interesting by the fact that thru youth and ignorance the young -stallion wouldn't maybe be able to compete against the fighting ability -of the buckskin, the younger horse hadn't as yet fought many battles, -that the buckskin could feel at a glance of him. He didn't turn away -like he'd done before,--as the stallion came on he just stood in his -tracks and watched him. Smoky was doing the same. - -There's bowed necks as the three touch nostrils, there's some squealing -and striking and then a kick is planted,--the young stud had started -things. - -[Illustration: There's bowed necks as the three touch nostrils.] - -Smoky had caught the kick, which left him out a ways. In the meantime -the buckskin followed up the lead and went at it from there. It was all -a mighty fair exchange from the start, kicks and bites was averaging -pretty well on both parties, and for a young horse that chestnut stud -was sure doing well. All might of come to a draw and both fighters -might of quit about the same time, if it hadn't been for Smoky. - -Smoky which had got to be pretty thick with the buckskin and had been -a good pardner of his thru their lonesome roamings found it mighty -natural like wanting to help when trouble came that way; besides he was -holding a grudge against the stud for kicking him the way he did, and -all them things together kinda had him worked up to mix in. - -His chance came as the chestnut whirled to plant a hard one on the -buckskin's ribs, there was only a few feet between Smoky and the -stud right then and double action started from there. The stud felt -hard hitting hoofs and teeth a getting him from both sides and the -punishment he received all at once wouldn't of been worse if he'd a lit -in a stack of wild cats. - -It was then that it come to his mind, and sudden, that he should let -up on the fighting and start to do some running if he wanted to keep -hisself all in one piece. Smoky and the buckskin kept a pounding on -him and a helping along on the good hunch till finally it was all made -mighty plain. The chestnut picked himself up as best and quick as he -could and made a leap out of reach of the too many wicked hoofs and -teeth, and tore up the earth for a change of scenery, the two pardners -done their best to escort him on his way. - -But as that day came to an end and as the sun passed over and beyond -the blue ridges Smoky and his pardner could see a lone horse outlined -against the sky, the chestnut was following. He followed 'em and the -bunch they'd chased him out of for three days, and once he started -a fight to win back what he'd lost, he just lost more hide and won -nothing but another boost out of that territory.--Smoky and the big -buckskin had handed him the same medicine another stud had handed them. - -The days that followed was mighty peaceful to the big buckskin, and -Smoky seemed some contented too, he was gradually getting used to being -away from his mother and new young fillies and colts he was running -with made it all a heap easier to forget. Then again, the knocks he'd -got ever since that day when things had been so peaceful with his -mammy, when he just figgered he'd have to start something to bust up -the monotony of that peace, all took the mischief out of him. The fight -with the black stallion, the lonesome ramblings with the buckskin, and -the other fights with the chestnut stud all helped eddicate him and -shape him into a full sized, serious thinking gelding. It didn't take -so much to keep him contented no more, and somehow or another he was -seeing a heap more in life. - -That's the way things stood with Smoky that summer, him and the -buckskin ranged high up in the mountains with the little bunch of mares -and colts, they all snoozed and grazed thru the days and done the same -thru the nights. A little play was brought on once in a while by some -of the young colts and Smoky and the buckskin was always the steady -victims of them. Them two older horses was colts themselves at them -times and the way they'd all nip one another and then sashay around -hell bent for election, a human would wonder at the care Smoky and the -buckskin was taking so that the colts would feel winners in all they'd -start. - -Summer passed, the grass had gradually turned to a yellow brown and -the leaves of the aspens begin banking up on the edges of the streams, -fall had come, and one day the bunch started a grazing steady lower and -lower till a few days later the foothills was reached. It was there -that Smoky took the lead and headed for the winter range where his -mammy had put him thru that first year, the big buckskin followed till, -glancing back over his withers he noticed that the mares and colts had -left off and branched out another direction. The buckskin stood in his -tracks, watched Smoky line out straight ahead and then looked back at -the mares again. For the time being he wasn't sure wether to go on with -his pardner or turn back to the bunch. It was hard for him to decide, -he wanted to go with Smoky and still them little colts sure had a -mighty holt on his heart strings, it was just about as he was doing the -hardest figgering when one of them little fellers came out of the bunch -a ways and nickered for him. That little nicker decided things for the -buckskin, he answered it and loped back to join with the other little -fellers and the mares. - -Smoky went on straight ahead. Maybe he was thinking strong, thinking -that he'd see his mammy again on that winter range. Anyway, it never -come to him to look back and see if the bunch was following him, and -finally when it did come to him that he was drifting on alone, he -stopped and looked around in a sort of vacant stare, his instinct had -been controlling him and was taking him back to his home range, but -when he found himself alone that way it all left him surprised at first -and then doubtful as to what to do. He was mighty attached to that -buckskin, the little colts, and the bunch in general. - -He looked at the far away hills of his range and he seemed like to -think on the subject for quite a spell, then of a sudden his head went -up, a loud nicker went out and away in the distance he could hear an -answer,--the answer had come from his pardner, the buckskin. - -Smoky nickered again and loped back to the bunch. He'd come to feel -that it didn't matter so much which range he wintered on, he was a big -horse now, and a few ridges to the north or south of that range he was -raised in didn't make much difference.--An old mare had took the lead -and from then on Smoky just followed side by side with the buckskin. A -little colt nipped him in the flanks, and all was well. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - THE END OF A ROPE - - -Snow layed heavy on the range that winter, grass was hard to get at, -and the little bunch of ponies that tracked the low hills which raised -up on the prairies was finding themselves doing a lot of rustling and -pawing, and getting very little feed. Bunches of cattle followed 'em -wherever they went and rooted with their nose for the few blades of dry -grass them horses had pawed the snow off of and left. - -Hay couldn't be bought that winter and the stockmen found themselves -where they had to take a chance and pull their cattle thru with -whatever little hay the dry summer before could let 'em have. Cattle -had been in fine shape that fall, but as the snow kept a piling and a -drifting and covering up the feed the tallow kept a dwindling away from -under the critters' hides and lean ribs begin to show more and more -thru the long winter hair. - -Then came a time as the blizzards blowed and regardless of what all the -stockmen done (which was to the limit of what any human can do) when -mounds of white begin to show here and there in that part of the range. -Underneath them white mounds was the dead carcass of a critter. Some -was dug up by the varmints, cayotes was licking their chops, and to -make things worse, there appeared three big grey wolves on the skyline -one day. - -Smoky and the big buckskin horse was the first to see the wolves. Their -ears was towards 'em as the three outlaws of the range trotted along -and then stopped to look at the horses. - -Smoky had never seen a wolf before, but the big old buckskin had seen -too many of 'em and had scars to show for his meetings with the kind. -He let a loud snort at the sight of the three grey shapes and from that -Smoky got a hunch that these was more to be reckoned with than the -cayotes he'd chased when he was a yearling. He had a hankering to go -and give them a chase too, but the nervous way the buckskin was acting -kinda warned him that it'd be best for him to stick with the bunch. - -The weak and dying cattle is what had really drawed the wolves, of -course they would just as soon tackle a strong animal as a weak one but -the scent that scattered over the range from the dead stock and which -would reach no less sensitive a nose than theirs was a lot to their -liking, and they'd just drifted in to investigate. - -It was below them to touch any of the carcasses they'd passed, for -these was old wolves well up to the game of killing, and nothing but -fresh meat would do. A good fat yearling or two year old colt is what -came highest and most to their tastes, and when they skirted that ridge -and spotted that little bunch of ponies in the draw below, it was the -sight of them that reminded their appetites how long ago it was since -they'd et last, and they'd traveled a long ways. - -But it was still daylight, and according to their natural way of doing -things they'd wait till night come before making the kill. They -skirted on and out of sight of the horses, nosed the snow and the air -to make sure that the coast was clear and after another look at the -country so they'd know it when they returned the wolves trotted on. -They showed what old timers they was as they circled well away from a -carcass for fear of a trap, they'd had their toes pinched in the steel -jaws, scars showed where bullets had grazed 'em and one was still -packing a piece of lead which a cowboy had fired at him from a long -shot with a 30-30. - -The big buckskin back there in the draw knowed their way, and it -showed in his action, he'd quit pawing for grass and instead put all -his attention to the tops of the ridges that was all around him and -the bunch. The way them three wolves had sized up the bunch and then -disappeared had made him restless and mighty spooky and finally that -draw got to be too much of a hole for him, too good a place for an -enemy to come into without being seen till that enemy was too close. - -The older mares showed a lot of spookiness too which all got Smoky -riled up so that he begin acting the same, and when the buckskin took -the lead out of the draw to where a good look of the country around -could be got the whole bunch was mighty anxious to follow. Even the -little colts seemed to have the hunch that something was up, the white -of their eyes showed and they stuck mighty close to their mammies' side. - - * * * * * - -A big moon came up and the light of it reflected a path that shined -on the crusted snow, the air was mighty still, still with the cold -that'd gripped the range and made everything that lived and carried -hoofs come to a stand so that no air would be stirred; a breeze at that -temperature would froze stiff every standing animal in that territory. - -Smoky, the buckskin, and the bunch stood on a knoll where they could -see well around 'em, they looked like petrified or froze there so still -they all stood, there was no sign of life from 'em excepting for an ear -that moved once in a while and which was on the job to catch any sound -that might come from near or far. - -The "yip, yip," and howl of a cayote was heard, another answered, and -pretty soon them two filled the air with their serenading--. The echo -of that hadn't quite died down when the long, drawed out, and mournful -howl of a wolf made that of the cayotes seem like a joke. The little -bunch of horses on the knoll hadn't blinked an eye while the cayotes -was serenading, but at the sound of what followed, every head in the -bunch went up, every ear pointed towards the sound, and the buckskin -with a few others snorted. - -Restlessness had got in the bunch. Smoky started out a ways and came -back, then pretty soon and keeping as close together as they could they -all begin moving. They moved on like shadows, and like more shadows -three grey shapes had took up their trail. - -The big buckskin had stayed in the rear of the bunch and he was first -to notice the wolves, a loud whistling snort was heard from him as he -landed in the middle of the bunch and kettled 'em into a stampede and -the run for their lives. The cold air was split forty ways and crusted -hunks of snow was sent a flying as the ponies all wild eyed broke their -way thru the drifts at the edge of a ridge and run on towards the big -flat. - -Smoky had stampeded with the rest and kept pretty well up in the lead -thru the run, but now that his blood was warming up in plowing thru the -deep snow, and being that that blood was circulating more free up his -neck and into his brain, it all put somewhat of a different light on -the subject. That brain of his was all het up, on hair trigger with the -waking up the run was giving it, and pretty soon something hatched up -in there that made Smoky slow down till the bunch went past and ahead -of him.--He was wanting to see what was all fired dangerous about them -wolves so as to make the bunch run that way. - -The big buckskin was the last to pass Smoky, he was busy keeping two -little colts just a few months old from lagging behind too far, bucking -the deep snow at the speed the bunch was making was beginning to show -on 'em and it was taking a lot of persuading from the big horse to keep -them little fellers on the move. - -The wolves was steady catching up with the bunch and the attack would -of took place some sooner if it hadn't been for Smoky. His lagging -behind had fooled the wolves into thinking that the mouse colored -gelding had quit and was ready to make his last stand. It had been -Smoky's intention to wait for the killers and paw the daylight out of -'em, but as the three rushed in on him he figgered it a good idea to -postpone the pawing for a while and do a little running till he was -some acquainted with their ways and tricks. - -Head and tail up and fire in his eyes he lined out and _led the wolves -away from the bunch_. They'd figgered on making him their victim on -account he was the handiest but as the chase kept up they found the -gelding had a powerful lot of speed left in him. In the meantime Smoky -had somehow lost all hankering of stopping and fight it out with 'em, -there was something about the three hungry looking crethures that kept -him a moving and his instinct was warning him strong that he should -keep some safe distance between him and them. - -He was doing that the best he could and as the running kept up and the -wolves couldn't get any closer they finally figgered they was wasting -their time. May be he got to looking too old and tough for 'em and -calculated they'd rather have younger and more tender meat, besides he -was leading 'em straight away from the bunch which might make 'em lose -their chances of getting anything at all. - -Smoky's play of leading the wolves off that way had been a great relief -to the bunch and mostly the young colts, they'd had a chance to slow -down some and get their second wind, and when the killers showed up on -their trail once again they was all more able to sashay on and keep -from reach of their tearing fangs. - -When Smoky found that the wolves had left him and turned back towards -the bunch, it was his natural instinct to turn too and follow up in -their tracks, he had a hunch somehow that he'd be needed there and he -hadn't altogether lost the hope of a chance of taking apart at least -one of the outlaws. - -It was a long and mighty hard run back till he caught up with the bunch -again, but Smoky wasn't the horse he was for nothing, he made it in -near as good a time as the wolves themselves, and he got there just as -the wolves circled around past the buckskin and headed for one of the -colts he'd been hazing. - -The buckskin hadn't hardly been noticed, the wolves had passed him up -as too old specially when there was such as the young colts which could -be got easy. The old horse had watched 'em catch up with the bunch -and go past him for a younger victim, he had no way to know that they -didn't want him, and he could of kept well in the lead of the bunch if -he'd wanted to but he'd made hisself guardian over the little colts and -he couldn't for the life of him have left 'em behind. Of course the -little fellers' mammies would of fought for 'em too but they was at the -stage where they felt every horse was for himself, they'd scared into a -stampede and was all a running for their own lives. - -The old buckskin knowed wolves, he knowed they had their eye on him and -it was best to keep neutral till they'd got over being watched of every -move he'd make, and as the three greys passed him and was gaining on -the scared little colts he kept to one side and watched. It was just as -the leader made a leap for one of the little fellers' ham strings that -the big buckskin came to life, made a leap too and went to fighting at -the risk of his own life. - -The wolves hadn't looked for no such move from him, they'd got over -watching and figgered he was far behind and had put all their -attention on dragging down the victim they'd picked. It was a mighty -big surprise for them when from behind the big buckskin landed on the -second wolf and buried him in the snow while on his way to the first. -A good sized hoof came down just as that first wolf turned his head to -meet the fighting buckskin. That hoof connected with his lower jaw as -he made the turn and left that jaw hanging limp and plum useless.--When -the old pony looked back for the other wolves there was long grey hairs -sticking between his teeth. - -It was about then when Smoky arrived on the scene, he'd come up right -behind the buckskin and when the second wolf picked himself up out of -the snow and made a grab which would of been the death of the old horse -Smoky done a side swipe that was quicker than chained lightning. A hind -hoof came up and caught that wolf right under a front leg close to the -body and took that leg off of him like it'd been a tooth pick;--another -horse that'd come up from behind and hadn't been reckoned with. - -[Illustration: Smoky done a side swipe that was quicker than chained -lightning.] - -It was during this commotion of biting and kicking mixture of buckskin -and mouse colored horseflesh and flying grey wolves that the third and -only able wolf disappeared into thin air. Them two fighting ponies had -took away all his appetite for colt meat and left a hankering only to -be gone from the reach of their destroying hoofs. Three of his kind -could of competed with the mad ponies if their attention had been on -them from the start, but that's where the slip had been made, and as -it was that lone wolf didn't feel at all equal of resuming what the -leader of the pack had started.--He left. - - * * * * * - -The moon faded away into the sky, break of day had come. Out on the -flat the little bunch of ponies was knee deep in the snow and a pawing -away for the grass that was underneath, there wasn't a scratch on nary -a hide to show that any had ever seen a wolf, but if Smoky and his -pardner the buckskin hadn't been in that little bunch there would of -been another story to tell. The little colt which was so busy digging -up feed for himself and plum ignorant of the close call he'd had would -of been amongst the missing and just easing the appetites of three gray -wolves, and who knows but what a couple more colts might of been killed -along with him, for once a wolf gets a taste of warm blood there's no -telling how far he'll go. - -The "yip, yip" and howl of a cayote sounded off from the hills, and -gradual as the sun came up big clouds showed over the skyline from the -northwest and seemed like headed to meet and kill that sun's warm rays. -By noon that day a blizzard had come and the little bunch of ponies -faced it on the way back to the shelter of the hills from where they'd -left in their run for life. - -The howl of a lone wolf was heard that night, and away off to the south -there came an answer, an answer that was more drawed out and mournful -than any that'd ever been heard. Smoky snorted, but with the buckskin, -only his head went up, his ears pointed towards the sound. He knowed -wolves and he knowed they wouldn't be back, not that night. - -The blizzard hung on for a day and filled the ravines with deep drifts, -then the wind died and it settled down to a slow falling snow. There -was more white mounds where that snow had covered the carcasses of dead -critters, but amongst them mounds there was one that wasn't made by any -of the bellering grass eating kind.--A big gray wolf layed there, a -broke jaw had been the cause of his death. - -(Some months later a cowboy run down and roped a three legged wolf and -remarked as he looked close to where a front leg was missing, how "it -must of been an awful wicked bullet to've took that leg off so neat.") - -The already long winter dragged and hung on like it never was going to -quit, snow was deep, and even tho the sun climbed higher and stayed -longer there seemed to be no more heat from it than there'd been two -months before and when it was at its lowest. The ponies was having a -hard time and as the feed kept a getting to be harder to reach right -along they was steady losing on weight and strength. The roundness -that'd been theirs a few months before was all gone and instead they -showed lean and slab sided. - - * * * * * - -Finally, and after it seemed there'd be no end to the rough weather -there came a break, it turned warmer, and some time later the snow -begin to sag and then melt on the sunny side of the hills, gradually, -and after what seemed weeks instead of days the grass showed in plain -sight more and more till the time come when the ponies didn't have to -paw for their feed no more. Then after a while there was green stems -showing thru the dry grass.--The dangers of the winter was over. - -The range had turned from white to brown and then green and the little -bunch of ponies begin to perk up considerable, the winter hair was a -slipping, their eyes showed more bright, and pretty soon ribs begin to -disappear under layers of fat and glossy hides. Then to make this new -green world as great and wonderful as the winter before had been hard -and cruel there begin to appear brand new little colts in the bunch, -all slick little fellers and full of play. And as the bunch drifted -to the open prairie they came acrost little calves, their little white -faces a shining in the sun. - -Smoky had more than kept with all the changes to the good, he showed -it in every move he made, and as him and the old buckskin (which had -got young again) played around and showed jealous over the new colts it -made a sight that was complete in all that life could give. - -There was months of peace that way, the little bunch roamed the -prairies not at all seeming to care where sunup found 'em. Tall green -feed was a plenty and everywheres, clear swift mountain streams slowed -down on the flats and furnished moisture for the big cottonwoods that -reached out in the sky and made cool shade, and as it was, time was -just let slip by and enjoyed only as a free range horse with little -colts for company can enjoy it. - -It was more thru habit than heat that the little bunch drifted on up -the foothills one day and then higher in the mountain. May be they -liked the breeze up there better, or the change of feed, or maybe it -was that too many riders had been showing up off and on and which kinda -disturbed 'em. - -But them riders couldn't be dodged that easy, and one day for a whole -half hour there was one to within a half a mile of 'em a setting on his -horse, field glasses in his hands and looking at the little bunch as -they fanned themselves on a high ridge plum ignorant of the eyes that -was on 'em. - -That rider had spotted the mouse-colored blaze-faced gelding, and at -the sight of him let out a whistle of surprise of seeing such a horse. -He'd rode a little closer then and watched that horse some more, he'd -of come still closer only he didn't want to kettle the bunch and make -'em suspicious, besides he'd just wanted to locate where that horse was -running so he'd know where to find him when he wanted to.--He was one -of the Rocking R men. - -Smoky had stood the whole watchful spell without a hunch of it, and as -him and the little bunch started a grazing on up the mountain there -was nothing further away from his mind than the thought of a human on -his trail. Of course there wasn't any human on his trail that day, -but there would be soon, for the way that rider talked that night and -described Smoky to the bronco buster of the outfit all indicated that -it wouldn't be long when the little horse would be finding himself in a -high pole corral. - -Smoky was now a four year old going on five, the age when most all -range geldings are run in and broke to either saddle or harness, for -use on the range or to fit 'em for market. The little horse'd had a -good long time of freedom and if he was kept with the outfit he'd get -more, but his time for usefulness had come. The free roaming of the -hills and flats was past for a while till the work he'd be cut out for -was done, and Smoky's experiences from his colt days on till now would -go on with more learning and experiences with the human. - -Smoky's waking up to realizing them things came sudden and all mighty -unexpected. A long legged rider on a long legged horse had showed up -on a ridge above him and the bunch; there'd been a lot of territory -covered in mighty fast time as all lit into a run and they was hazed -down onto the flats and then into long pole wings towards the corral, -then first thing Smoky knowed he was penned in, he couldn't go no -further. A big gate was closed and all around him was big cottonwood -bars. - -In another pen joining the one Smoky was in there was other horses, -all geldings and along about Smoky's size and age. The gate between -was opened and Smoky was cut out of his bunch by that same long legged -rider that'd run him in, and put thru that gate to join them other -geldings, the gate was closed again after him. - -Smoky peeked thru the bars and watched the rider open the outside gate -and leave out the bunch he'd run with. He watched one of the mares take -the lead and in a long lope, head back to the high territory from where -they'd come, he watched the little colts running to keep up and then he -seen the big buckskin tagging along. His pardner and all was leaving -him amongst strange horses, in a high corral, and not far away was a -human which to Smoky was ten times worse than any wolf. - -He nickered, and there was a sound to it that made the buckskin stop, -look back, and nicker an answer. The old horse stood there a while -kinda like he was waiting but pretty soon he started again and caught -up with the bunch. The old buckskin knowed humans, he'd packed many a -one of 'em on many a long ride, his freedom had been handed back to him -for the good work he'd done, he'd experienced what Smoky was going thru -now and knowing what he did it was all plain to him just what was up. -There was no use of him waiting. - -Smoky watched him and the bunch disappear in a cloud of dust and out of -sight. If only there was no bars holding him it wouldn't take him long -and he could still catch up with 'em, but--He was brought back to hard -facts by the squeak of the heavy gate as it was pulled open and the -cowboy walked in with a long coil of rope on his arm. - -Smoky let out a snort at the sight of the human and tore up the earth -for the far side of the corral. Natural fear of the crethure had a hold -on him and once against the solid bars he turned and quivering faced -what he felt was his worst enemy. - -If Smoky could only knowed, there'd been a lot of suffering which he -wouldn't had to've went thru on account of that fear, if he'd only -knowed that right then that human was just admiring him for all he -was worth and that doing the little horse any harm was the furthest -thing away from his mind. But the wild gelding had no way of knowing -and every word that human was saying sounded to him like the growl -of a flesh tearing animal, and every move was a step closer to the -victim;--he was the victim. - -The cowboy well understood his kind. He'd been raised on the backs of -such as him and he was making his living by gentling that kind and -making good saddle horses out of 'em, and as he stood there, his eyes -taking in every move the mouse colored gelding was making, there was a -smile showed under the stetson. That smile was just for the glad way -he felt as he sized him up and seen where he was all saddle horse, not -the kind that'd fit in harness and to be shipped to farming countries. -He was glad to know that he'd be the first to touch that pony's hide, -and as he kept his eye on the gelding, at the same time shaking out a -loop, he felt there'd be no end of patience for such a horse as that -one looked to be. - -His loop ready he walked towards the gelding. Smoky watched him come -and that pony's actions showed where he just wanted to shrink away to -nothing and disappear, but he stayed full size, and seen where his next -best move was to just move, and away to most any old place. The other -geldings scattered as the human came on and Smoky piled in amongst 'em -full speed to the other side of the corral; about that time he heard -the hiss of a rope and that thing which he likened to a snake coiled up -and right around both his front feet. - -Them front feet was jerked away from under him as he sailed in the air -and tried to get away, and then he made a circle in the atmosphere and -came down to earth flat on his side. He no more than hit the ground -when he tried to get up. He tried it again and again, and as the cowboy -talked to him and advised him to ease up on the fighting Smoky turned a -wild eyed look his way and snorted. - -"Now lay down and be good," says that cowboy. "I sure don't want to -skin up that pretty hide of yours." - -Smoky did lay down, he had to, for in another few seconds his four feet -was tied together. He breathed hard as he layed there plum helpless, -his mind wasn't working no more, his heart was a thumping fit to bust -and the racing of the blood thru his body only stampeded his brain. He -was past trying to figger out how he was throwed so easy and then held -down where he could move only his head. No cougar or bear could of made -him so helpless, he could of fought with them, but with this human it -all seemed like he had no chance and the mystery of that human's power -is what put the fear in him, a fear the likes of which was a heap worse -than he'd felt if he'd been cornered by a thousand bears, cougars, and -wolves. - -In a dazed way he seen the cowboy bend over him; a knee touched his -neck and the muscles along there quivered the same as if a snake's -fangs had been feeling for a holt. A hand touched his ear and another -his forehead; there was no pain but if there had been the little horse -would of never felt it. - -Pretty soon a hackamore was slipped on his head, he felt the rawhide -"bosal" around his nose and then the "feador" rope around his neck, all -the while the crethure was making a low, and _somehow_ not aggravating -noise. It was a talking to him. - -The cowboy gave his forehead a couple of rubs, then stood up and walked -around to the pony's feet, Smoky felt the tight ropes loosening up from -around his ankles and pulled away; his feet was free but his mind was -confused a lot and he still layed there; then he felt a pull on the -hackamore rope. - -"Come on up and stand on your legs," says that cowboy,--and Smoky came -to life. - -He came to life a pawing and rearing and a snorting. His feet was free -and he could handle 'em again, he did handle 'em and put in all the -strength and action he had a trying to pull away from the cowboy which -was holding him with a long rope.--There's some talk of the skill -that's showed between the angler and the trout, but the skill that was -brought out from that hundred and fifty pound cowboy a holding that -eleven hundred pounds of kinky, wild horseflesh was past talking about -and beyond the figgering out of any human that's not up to the trade of -bronco busting. - -The cowboy played his rope and held his horse, he'd held many like him -before and most all had fought the same as Smoky was now fighting. That -pony's eyes was afire as he seen there was no chance for any get away -even when he was on his feet, he couldn't at all shake that two legged -hunk of terror, and as he snorted and fought the rope that still held -fast around his head and neck he begin to tire some, and came a time -when as the cowboy stood still a few yards away he stood still too, and -legs wide apart, sweat a dripping from his slick hide, he took in a -breathing spell. - -He stood there as he watched the cowboy back away and let the rope -slide thru his hands; he watched him open the gate and get the saddle -horse that'd been left to stand on the other side, seen him get on that -horse and then pick up the slack of the rope that was holding him. -There was thirty feet of it between him and the mounted human, and when -that rope was tossed a little as the rider circled around him, Smoky -made a leap and shaking his head like trying to slip what held him he -headed straight on for the open gate. - -But once past it Smoky was jerked to a fighting standstill, he hadn't -as yet reckoned that a rope _could_ hold him--. The gate was closed -after him and the rider had went thru and then Smoky felt some slack. -He took advantage of that and started out full speed again; he was out -of the corral and in the open, the rope that was still on him was only -felt and wasn't holding him from lining out. - -A shallow creek bottom full of tall green feed was by that corral and -Smoky headed down it; any place would do so long as he could run and -keep a distance between him and that rider, but that run wasn't to last -long, once again he felt the rope tighten till he was brought to a -stop, and facing the rider once more watched him get off his horse and -fasten the end of the long rope to a log. - -"Well, little horse," says the cowboy as he stood there and watched -him for a spell, "don't play too rough with this rope, the better you -treat it the better it'll treat you," and with that he got on his horse -and rode off towards the corrals where more broncs waited for the same -eddication that Smoky had just got. - -That long soft and thick cotton rope, and that log which held Smoky -was the means of his first learnings as to ways for usefulness to the -human. The more he'd fight that rope and try to get away from it the -more he'd learn that his fighting and tearing was of _no use_. That -rope was on the job steady and to learn him to turn as he run and hit -the end of it, it would take the stiffness out of his neck and there'd -come a time when he'd give to a pull from either side without fighting -and wanting to be convinced that it could be done. The log which the -rope was tied to was part of the teaching apparatus, heavy enough to -hold the pony, and even tho it could be dragged around some Smoky -couldn't get very far with it. - -The little horse realized somehow as he sized up the contraption that -the end had come to all he'd enjoyed with the freedom he'd had, cool -shades,--clear streams, and grassy ranges to all roam on as he pleased -had been took away from him; he didn't know what was to come next, but -he did know that he was on that creek bottom, close to corrals, and -there to stay for a spell. - - - - - CHAPTER V - - THE BRONC TWISTER STEPS UP - - -A cloud of dust was hanging on over the big corrals where Clint, the -bronc twister of the Rocking R outfit, was busy starting raw broncs -under the saddle and "twisted" 'em in shape for good saddle stock. It -was long, hot, and hard days for that cowboy as he wrestled with the -slick, fat, and snorty ponies and convinced 'em that they all could be -led, rode, and handled according to the way he seen fit; but Clint was -used to that, he'd been at it for years with nary a rest or relief from -the work that was beginning to tell on him. - -He'd take ten broncs at a time and soon as he'd took the rough off them -ten he'd turn 'em over as broke and run in ten more raw, wild ponies. -Each green colt was rode every day if even only for half an hour, and -gradually learned to behave under the saddle. There was a few that -wouldn't learn to behave, but the Rocking R outfit had good men and all -them ponies was put in to their work whether they was good or bad. - -Clint had been with the layout for near two years, and in that time -had broke to ride somewheres around eighty head of horses. He'd broke -many more for other outfits and never made an outlaw, if one did turn -outlaw once in a while it was because of that pony's natural instinct -to be that way, but Clint handled and rode 'em all just the same,--if a -perticular horse couldn't be learned it sure wasn't his fault and none -had better try to learn that same horse _anything_. - -As has been said before, bronc fighting was beginning to tell on -Clint,--none of them ponies he'd broke had spared him, and instead -they'd called on for all that was in him. Many had tried to tear him -apart and scatter him in the dust of the big corrals; hoofs had come -like greased lightning and took hunks off his bat-wing chaps, teeth -had took a few shirts off his back, and as he'd climbed on one after -another of these wild, kinky ponies they most all tried to see if they -could move the heart of him from one side of his body to the other. - -There was many times when he was layed up with dislocated shoulders, -ribs broke and legs the same. From the root of his hair to the toes in -his made to order boots there was signs, if not seen they was felt, -where some horse had twisted, broke, or shook something loose. Each -happening had come more or less separate, and healed some in time, but -as some kept a repeating off and on there was some parts of him which -never got strong again, and as time went on and as Clint said, "he was -beginning to feel loose like an old clock and figgered that some day -some bucking hunk of horseflesh would take the _tick_ out of him and -scatter him out so that none of the parts would never be found again." - -Clint had started riding rough ones long before he quit growing and -that's the condition he was in at thirty, an old man, far as riding was -concerned. The horses of the same big outfit he'd rode for was worked -on the average of only four months in the year, and in them four months -the broke horses was rode only four or five hours once every three -days. That might show some of the difference in the work the cowboy and -the cowhorse does with a real cow outfit.--The men go to pieces young -and early and the ponies stay fat,--but there was no grudge for there's -nobody in the world likes to see and ride a fat strong horse more than -does the cowboy. - -They'll keep the ponies fat and feeling good, and some of them horses -find it hard to behave and will try to jar loose the eye teeth of -their riders. The cowboy wants 'em that way tho',--it's a pride of -his to have a kinky horse under him that's feeling good rather than -some gentle old plug that's leg weary. That all gets him in time, but -there's a grin on his face when that time comes, a grin from the pride -of knowing that he never was seen on no horse that was against the -principle of a cowboy to ride. - -Like with Clint, horses was the life of him. He loved 'em for all he -was worth and the greatest pleasure in the world for him was in just -being with a corral full of 'em, handling 'em and feeling of their -hides. The satisfaction he'd get out of seeing some four year old -colt learn the things he'd teach meant a heap more to him than the -wages he drawed for that work, and there was times as he'd be breaking -some right brainy gelding and watch the horse pick up fast on the -eddication he'd give him, when he'd feel real attached to the pony. -He'd hate to give him up when the time came for all half broke horses -to be turned over to the round up wagons and where more teaching in the -handling of the critter begin. - -"I feel sort of married to them kind of ponies," he'd say, "and I sure -don't hanker to part with 'em just when we're beginning to get along -good together, but," he'd go on "I guess as long as I'll be breaking -horses this way I can't get too sensitive." - -But Clint kept a being sensitive that way, and he never was happy when -he'd see riders coming in on him and then ride away hazing a bunch of -the broncs he'd "started." "Some day," he was heard to say once "I'm -going to meet a horse I'll really get married to, and then there'll be -things a popping." - -Clint would have such a liking for some of them ponies that he'd forget -and didn't want to think that they belonged to the company and not to -him. He was just hired to break 'em. He'd reason that out often but -that reasoning never fazed the hankering he felt and that's how come -when he run in the mouse colored gelding he begin to do some tall -figgering. - -He had a hunch when he first set eyes on that pony that he'd met the -horse which would start "things a popping" when any rider showed up to -claim all that's half broke. Clint had dreamed of such a horse as the -mouse colored gelding but he'd never expected to see one really living, -that pony had got holt of his heart strings from the start, and as he -watched thru the bars of the corral out to where the horse was picketed -he felt him to be the kind he'd steal if he couldn't buy, and if he -could neither steal nor buy he'd work for. - -It'd been two days since he'd run him in and put him on the picket -rope outside the corral a ways, and in them two days Clint had been -mighty fearful lest somebody rode up on him, seen the horse and took -possession of him as private saddle stock for the superintendent or -some other what owned shares in the outfit and liked pretty horses that -way. Clint wanted that horse mighty bad and he was just leary something -would happen so he'd be took away from him, but as he'd reason some he -was less worried and he'd wind up by saying as he'd take another peek -towards the gelding. "They'd have to let me break him first, and before -anybody else gets him I'll sure make an outlaw out of that horse." - -That was no way for Clint to feel maybe, but that's sure enough the way -he figgered on doing rather than lose the horse to anybody else;--that -feeling was past skin deep with him and that I think excuses him some. - -In the two days that Clint'd had the horse up, there was no chance -passed where he could show his feelings and win that pony's -confidence,--if the picket rope tangled him up too much Clint was right -there to untangle him and each time the gelding fought less when he -came. That pony was gradually losing his fear of being et up or tore -apart by the human and pretty soon he felt as Clint came and went that -each visit from that crethure brought some comfort in a way. - -It was on the second evening and when the day's work was all done -that Clint made his way from the bunk house to where the gelding was -picketed. He went up to within a rope's length of the horse, rolled a -smoke, and stood there watching him. - -"Smoky," he says, "you're some horse"--Clint hadn't hardly realized -he'd spoke a name, he was too busy watching and admiring that pony's -every move, so as it was that name came unconscious like to the cowboy -and it was used and repeated from then on as natural as tho that name -had been thought and decided on. - -He'd named many horses and had always let the name come to him either -by the color, size, or shape of each horse, and sometimes by the way -they acted. He'd called one tall rangy horse "Shorty" and another low -built small horse "Skyhigh." Often the name didn't at all fit the horse -in that way but there was some reason there, the same as there was a -mighty good reason to call the mouse colored gelding "Smoky." - -He did look like a rounded shiny cloud of grey smoke, and as he held -his ground and watched the cowboy, he acted as tho he might live up to -his name and really go up in smoke,--his acquaintance with the human -hadn't been very long and he wasn't as yet any too confident. - -Clint could tell as he watched just what was going on in that pony's -think tank, he could still see fear in his eyes, but mixed in with -that fear was a lot of nerve that showed fight. He knowed that pony -would fight and make himself hard to handle, and he'd of been mighty -disappointed not to've seen them signs in the horse. It was only -natural that any of his kind should act this way and he figgered the -wilder the spirit the bigger and more worth while would the winning -be.--He would take his time, do a good job and turn Smoky from a wild -raw bronc into a well broke and eddicated cowhorse. - -He took a few steps closer and Smoky backed away to the end of the -rope,--he snorted when he found he couldn't back no further and pawed -at the rope as the cowboy kept a coming still closer and closer. Clint -took his time but came on steady and a talking the while till he -finally got within a couple of feet of the horse and where he could -touch him. Hanging on to the rope with the right hand he reached out -with the left and touched him easy between the eyes. Smoky flinched and -snorted but he stood it,--he stood it for quite a spell and felt the -hand rubbing on his forehead and working up and up towards his ears. - -Clint had just about got to one of them ears when Smoky rubbed his nose -along the cowboy's sleeve, took a sniff, and then of a sudden nipped -him on the arm. That had happened to him before many a time and he'd -been ready for it with the result that the pony got only a piece of -shirt and no flesh. - -"Now, don't be so daggoned ornery," says that cowboy as he kept a -rubbing the same as tho nothing had happened, "I only want to reach -between them ears and touch that knowledge bump of yours." - -Finally he did reach the bump and rubbed around there a spell. Smoky -struck once, Clint dodged the front hoof and kept a rubbing. He rubbed -past the left ear and down his neck till the withers was reached, the -mane was worked on and all the knots in it untangled. The little horse -quivered and flinched every once in a while but the rubbing process -went on till Smoky begin showing symptoms that he could stand it all -easy enough. - -In the meantime Clint talked to him like he'd never took time to talk -to another horse before, and if Smoky could of understood he'd knowed -by that talk just what was ahead for him; but Smoky wasn't thinking on -what was ahead,--the present had him worried enough as it was, and he -was kept busy watching every move that human was making. - -Smoky had lost considerable wildness during the two days on the picket -rope. He'd learned there was no use in fighting the rope that held him, -that it was best to turn when he came to the end of it, and gradually -he was getting used to have that rope touch him here and there and he'd -quit kicking at it. He was more familiar with that than with the human -who put him there, but the rope done the trick of getting him used to -having anything touch him,--it kinda broke him to stand the touch of -the hand. - -He was learning to stand that well enough too, but the movements of -that hand had to be just right, not too quick and no jabbing done or -there'd be a scattering of something mighty quick. - -"I'm sure making a lot of fuss over you," says Clint as he rubs on past -the withers and along his back a ways. "If you was just an ordinary -bronc you'd be missing most of this attention and you'd be finding -yourself in the corral with me on top of you by tomorrow, and turned -in the 'Remuda' by another month, but I got a scheme up on account of -me liking you the way I do: I'm going to take my time and make you my -private top horse and when that's done I'll have every cowboy in the -country jealous of me for having such a horse as you're going to turn -out to be." - -With Clint's scheming that way there was a good chance of him winning -out, and gradually, steady, the eddication of Smoky started in. That -cowboy called on for all he knowed in the profession of horse breaking -and used it all with a lot of time to shape out Smoky the way he wanted -him. No company time was used on the horse on account Clint felt it -wouldn't been doing the square thing "cause," as he says "it'll be bad -enough if I have to steal him."--Of course Clint wouldn't steal that -horse or no other one, but he felt like he'd sure do something out of -the ordinary rather than let Smoky go to any other rider. - -Every evening after that last meal of the day was over, Clint would be -down in the creek bottom with Smoky. What went on there showed some of -what Clint really thought of the mouse colored gelding, and there was -no disappointed look on his face when dark made him return to the bunk -house. - -Smoky had been on the picket rope about a week. In that time Clint had -kept his eye on him thru the day while working in the corral and spent -a couple of hours with him every evening. The little horse had got used -to the rope and wouldn't pay no attention to it no more, but as for the -cowboy he was just neutral, it was hard for him to shed off the fear of -the human and which he'd inherited,--that human was still a mighty big -mystery to him even after a week's acquaintance. It'd done him no harm -but his wild instinct kept a warning him to expect most anything. The -power that two legged crethure had over him kept him leary and watching -for the next move, whatever that would be--and that's why Smoky was -still neutral, his confidence for the human hadn't come to the top as -yet and not a move did that cowboy make which he didn't see. - -"You sure got your eye on me, aint you, little horse?" Clint would say, -"but that's the way I want you to be," he'd go on, "for the more you -watch the more you'll see and the quicker you'll learn." - -Smoky did watch and see and learn, and then one evening Clint untied -the long picket rope from the log and started leading him towards the -corral; the little horse was broke to lead by then and he followed easy -enough. His heart was a thumping in wonder of what was due to happen as -the cowboy led him thru the big pole gate, he stepped high and careful -and his eyes took in everything that looked suspicious,--a slicker -hanging over one side of the corral made him snort and try to pull -away. Clint talked to him, and kept on a leading him thru another gate -into another smaller and round corral. A big snubbing post stuck up in -the center of it and by that post was a big brown and shiny hunk of -leather. It was Clint's saddle. - - * * * * * - -"Well now, little horse, the performance is about to begin, you're -going to get your first smell of saddle leather." Clint had turned -as he spoke and begin rubbing on Smoky's forehead. For once since -Smoky had been caught his attention wasn't on the cowboy, that hunk of -leather was drawing all his interest and ears pointed straight at it, -eyes a shining, he snorted his suspicions and dislike for the looks of -the contraption that was laying there, waiting it seemed like to jump -at him and eat him alive. - -"Look, snort, and paw at it all you want," says the cowboy. "You'll -get well acquainted with it before you get thru, and I wont rush the -acquaintance either." - -Clint didn't. He kept Smoky to within a few feet of the saddle and -grinning some at the pony's actions kept a rubbing him back of the ears -while the investigation was going on. Smoky was for getting away from -there but Clint was persuading him to stick around close, and there was -nothing for him to do but just that. - -A move from the direction of that saddle right then would of queered -things and made Smoky scatter, and Clint couldn't of held him either -for a ways, but the hunk of leather layed still, mighty still, and -pretty soon it kinda lost its dangerous look to the little horse,--he -begin looking around for other things in that corral which wouldn't be -to his liking and not seeing anything that was worth getting spooky at -Smoky begin watching the cowboy again. - -It was about then that Clint reached over and picked up the saddle slow -and easy and drug it closer to Smoky. At the first move of the riggin' -the little horse snorted and backed away but Clint and the saddle kept -a coming straight towards him, slow but steady. One side of the high -corral finally was reached. Smoky had backed against it and couldn't go -no further. The cowboy, still hanging onto the rope that held his head, -came on, saddle and all with him, and quivering with fear the little -horse layed low. Feet straight out in front and head near to the ground -he stayed there, and got another and different eddication with the -saddle, this time it was dragging. - -[Illustration: The cowboy still hanging onto the rope that held his -head, came on, saddle and all with him, and quivering with fear the -little horse layed low, feet straight out in front and head near to the -ground he stayed there.] - -When Clint thought that had gone far enough and seen where Smoky had -got over the worst of his fear he layed the saddle down again, and -picking up an old saddle blanket he begin fanning the air with it, -closer and closer to Smoky came the blanket as the fanning motion -kept on, and stary eyed the little horse watched. He struck at it and -snorted a couple of times and he even tried to turn and kick, but the -blanket came on till finally one corner of it grazed his side. He -flinched and kicked and tried to jerk away but there was no dodging -that spooky looking thing. - -Not a word was heard from the cowboy as the "sacking" went on, this -was a part of the eddication that was necessary and which should be -put thru mighty quiet. It was all a spooky enough performance to a raw -bronc without adding on any talking, and even tho the goings on scared -the pony near out of his hide, that blanket done the trick of showing -him that no matter how bad it looked it wasn't going to hurt him. It -was one mighty good thing to teach him general confidence in the cowboy -and his riggin'. - -Smoky fought like a cornered wolf and tried to get away, but he had -no chance,--Clint had "sacked" many a bronc that'd fought as much and -the cigarette between his lips noticed no change of spells between -puffs. Smoky showed hate and fear of the human once again the same as -when he was first caught, his instinct had warned him to expect most -anything from that crethure, and he wasn't surprised at the way things -had turned;--but that didn't help any, he just wanted to sail clear -over the corral and disappear. - -Thru all that fighting and goings on the sacking kept up in steady -motion. Wherever the long blanket touched Smoky he flinched, and kicked -at it and squealed. He was too scared to realize that there was no -sting or any kind of a hurt felt. It was just the looks of the thing -which had him going and his fighting instinct just had to answer every -swish of that thing that circled around a leg one time and his neck the -next. - -Finally, and whether it was from being tired of fighting or that he -was dazed past caring of what was going on Smoky begin to let up; his -kicks begin to get less wicked and his eyes lost some of the fiery look -till came a time when he stood near still and he'd only flinch as the -blanket kept a touching, going away, and touching him here and there -and all over. - -Clint noticing the little horse calming down remarked, "You'll get so -you'll like it pretty soon." But Smoky wasn't showing no such symptom -as yet, he was just standing it best as he could and that was all. - -Both sides and all around Smoky went Clint with his blanket till the -little horse finally even quit flinching. The cowboy then dropped the -rope that was holding the horse and worked his blanket wilder than -ever, that blanket was layed everywhere on that pony's hide and around -his legs, he layed it on the ground and drug it under him and all Smoky -would do was to cock one ear and watch it, but he never moved. A half -an hour before such a play would of sent him straight up. - -Clint worked on for a while longer till he was sure there wasn't a -spot on that pony that'd flinch at the feel of the blanket, then he -begin to notice that Smoky was finally getting so he kinda liked the -performance, no flies could touch him while that was going on, and that -blanket being pulled all over him that way seemed to kind of soothe -some. - -It was about when Clint figgered he could do no more good in the way of -sacking that he picked up his saddle again and came straight towards -Smoky with it. The squeak of the riggin' brought some interest from the -horse, but Clint was careful to bring the old blanket with him and keep -a fanning the same as to let him know that one was no worse than the -other. - -In the first saddling of most broncs Clint generally tied up one of -their hind legs so as to hinder 'em from kicking the saddle out of his -hands and at the same time learn 'em to stand still while that went -on;--a few of 'em he'd just hobble in front. And being that Smoky'd -had more teaching than the average colt generally gets before first -saddling, Clint figgered that just hobbling his front feet would do. - -The sacking had helped a lot and Clint had no trouble fastening the -rawhide hobbles around Smoky's ankles, the pony snorted at him a -little but stood still, for Clint was waving that blanket around as -he worked. Once the hobbles was on he picked up his saddle and _eased_ -it up and on that pony's back. Smoky had a hunch that something new -was going on, something different than the sacking performance which -he'd just went thru; but as nothing happened outside of the flapping of -stirrup leathers and cinches he stood in one spot, only a quiver in the -muscles along his shoulder showed how much alive he was, and how quick -he could leave the earth if anything "goosed" him. - -Plenty of practice had made Clint past master at putting a saddle on -a green colt, nothing happened to make Smoky want to move out of his -tracks, and even when the cinch was reached for and drawed up under his -belly he never batted an eye. The sacking had all been a mighty fine -preliminary for all this that followed and cured the horse from scaring -at everything that flapped on or around him. - -As it was Smoky hardly realized that he was saddled till Clint took the -hobbles off his front feet and pulled him to one side. At that pull he -felt something fastened to him and hanging on, that was a new kind of -feeling to Smoky and it kettled him, down went his head and he lit in -to bucking. - -Clint had expected that, for no bronc likes the feel of the cinch no -matter how loose it might be, and when Smoky bogged his head that way -he was ready,--he let the hackamore rope slide thru his hands for a -ways and till he could get a good footing, then he give that rope a -little flip and set down on it. That done the trick and it come daggone -near upsetting the little horse, but Clint let out just enough slack -and that saved him. He didn't want to throw the horse but then he -didn't want to have that horse buck with an empty saddle either. - -"Now Smoky," says that cowboy as the horse jerked to his senses, turned -and faced him, "I don't want you to waste any of your energy that way, -if you want to do any bucking you just wait till I get in the middle of -you." - -Smoky waited, but it wasn't thru the talk the cowboy had handed him -that he did wait; it was that he remembered how that rope had upset him -that first day he was picketed to the log outside the corral, and he -wasn't hankering to be "busted" that way again. - - * * * * * - -There's folks that's read some on how horses are broke on the range, -and from that reading they get the idea that the cowboy breaks the -horses' spirit, that it's the only way a wild horse can be tamed. What -I've got to say on the subject if that's what's believed, is that -either them folks read something that's mighty wrong, or else they got -the wrong impression and misunderstood what they read, and breaking a -horse the way he's broke on the range is about the same on the animal -as schooling is to the human youngster. The spirit of the wild horse is -the same after years of riding as it was before he ever felt a rope, -and there's no human in the world wants to preserve that spirit in -the horse like the cowboy does;--he's the one what knows better than -anybody else that a horse with a broken spirit is no horse at all. - -To them that _only_ sees a wild horse roped and rode and don't know the -insides of the game, horse breaking might seem a little rough; but I'm -here to say that it's not near as rough as it is necessary, and in the -long run it's the rider that gets treated the roughest. You let a wild -horse get away with something once and he'll try it again till there -will come a time when even if there's no meaness in him he'll develop -some. That's what makes outlaws. - -Outlaws are made mostly when a horse proves too much for the man that -handles him. A wild horse will turn outlaw often if handled by any -other than them that knows his kind, and there'll be no way of breaking -him only thru starvation and abuse. His spirit would be broken then -too, and that proves that the cowboy, knowing his business, will see -that the pony's heart is kept intact. - -There's a variety in horse minds as big as there is amongst human -minds. Some need more persuading than others, and a few of 'em, no -matter how firm they're handled will have to be showed again and again -that they can't get away with this or with that,--they'll keep on a -trying and if ever once they do put a bluff thru there's most generally -enough meaness in their system to make 'em plum worthless. - -And like I was saying with Smoky, "he remembered how that rope had -upset him that first day he was picketed to that log outside the -corral, and he wasn't hankering to be 'busted' that way again."--That -little horse had brains. If he was convinced a few times he had the -sense to realize it, but at the same time, _he had_ to be showed, and -more because it was part of his necessary eddication than because of -any meaness of his. - -He was willing to learn but the teaching had to come from one who -_could_ teach him. There was no meaness in Smoky, not an ounce of it, -he was honest clear thru, but meaness would develop if a slip was made. -He fought and bit and kicked but Smoky was a wild horse and he was -going only according to his instinct and more to protect himself from -the strange human. - -That's the caliber of most range horses. Clint had handled many of 'em -and always won out with their confidence and turned 'em over as broke -with their spirit intact. He'd savvied Smoky the minute he dabbed his -rope on him that first time: that pony was wild, wild as a horse or any -animal can get, and he had the strength to go with it; but Clint seen -where that little horse also had a mighty fine set of brains between -them little pointed ears of his. - -He treated him like a grown up would treat a kid, a kid of the kind -that'd learn a lot if the chance showed up, and he missed no chance to -show that pony all he should know and how good he wanted to be to him. - -"Daggone it Smoky," he'd say, "it's too bad you can't know without I -have to use a lot of ropes, as it is sometimes. I bet you don't think -I'm a friend of yours, none at all." - -Clint was right. At first Smoky had took him as an enemy and fought -him according; then had come a time when he was willing to trust him -some, specially when Clint had come and untangled him out of that long -picket rope, talked to him, and rubbed his ears. His heart had got over -thumping so much when he'd see the cowboy coming of evenings, and even -tho the little horse didn't realize it as yet, he'd got to expecting -him. - -Then, and just about when his liking for the cowboy was coming to the -top fast, something happened that'd make him wonder for a spell if that -cowboy was a friend or still an enemy. The "sacking" he'd went thru in -the corral had sort of jarred the confidence that'd begin to sprout for -the bow-legged crethure, and then the way his head was jerked up out of -his bucking spell with the empty saddle, all had left him puzzled as -whether to start in and do some fighting or else be good and take his -medicine. - -Smoky had no way of knowing as yet what was expected of him, and it was -a ticklish time for him. It was right then that he'd have to be handled -just right and when the turning point for the good or the bad would be -decided on. But Clint knowed how the turn to the good layed and it was -right there that he proceeded to bring it out. - -There was only one way to it and that was for Clint to _show_ Smoky he -had to be good. The cowboy knowed Smoky had brains a plenty to realize -once he was showed, that he had to do just what he wanted him to do, -that of course would take a little time, the pony would fight some more -and _want_ to be showed, and to keep him from getting flustrated that -horse would have to have his own way, some. - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - "THE SQUEAK OF LEATHER" - - -Twenty feet of rope is laying between the cowboy's hand and the pony's -head. The cowboy is standing there just watching and smiling some at -the surprised look that's in the pony's face, that pony had just been -stopped sudden in his bucking with an empty saddle;--it was the first -time a saddle had been on his slick back and it was no wonder he tried -to get out from under that thing, nothing had ever clung there before. - -[Illustration: He didn't forget how he was stopped, and so sudden, that -first time he'd tried to break with an empty saddle.] - -"Now, you just take it easy for a spell, and keep your head up," says -that cowboy as he started walking towards the pony.--Legs wide apart, -a wild look in his eyes, and a snorting his surprise Smoky watched him -come; he didn't know whether to stand his ground and start fighting -or back away as the cowboy came.--On he came, and as Smoky was seeing -no sign of harm, he stood in his tracks, watched, and waited. A hand -touched him on the forehead and moved on down his neck, the cowboy -was a talking to him the while, and pretty soon Smoky's heart wasn't -thumping so hard no more.---- - -[Illustration: A hand touched him on the forehead.] - -He was then led a little ways, and as he heard the squeak of leather -and felt the weight of the saddle with each step he took, an awful -hankering came to him to put his head down and try to buck it off, but -the cowboy was right there in front of him and he didn't want to be -stopped again and so sudden as he'd been stopped that first time. - -The other side of the corral was reached and there Clint turned and -rubbed Smoky on the ear. "Well, old boy, lets see how you're going to -behave when I get up in the middle of you." - -Smoky watched the man reach for the latigo and felt the cinch tighten -up; a hump came in his back and which made the saddle set near on -end,--it was the hump that carried the punch in the buck, and most -likely Clint could of led the pony around some till the hump wore down -and his back straightened up again, but that rider wasn't for taking -the buck out of a bronc too quick. He believed a good sensible horse -should buck at the first few "settings" and he wasn't the kind of rider -that'd smother that natural feeling and have it come out later, when -the horse is supposed to be broke gentle. - -He let the hump be and never moved the pony out of his tracks;--he -knowed that just one move would be enough to start that pony to -exploding, and Smoky was set and just a waiting for that signal to -start. He watched the cowboy raise his chaps so the belt wouldn't -hinder his leg action, watched him pull his hat brim down solid, and -then he couldn't watch no more. Something had come between him and his -vision, it was the cowboy's thumb which had layed over his left eyelid -and pulled it down over his eye--In the next second he felt a weight -added on to that of the saddle, and all of a sudden he could see again. - -But what he did see left him stary eyed and paralized. For half a -minute he just stood like petrified, that cowboy had disappeared from -the side of him, and instead, there he was right in the middle of his -back and on that hunk of leather he'd been hankering to shed off ever -since it was put on there. - -Instinct pointed out only one way for him to act,--it was telling him -that neither the human nor the leather belonged up there in the middle -of him that way, and that if he tried he could most likely get rid of -'em. There was nothing else to do that he could see, and right then he -felt that he sure must do _something_. - -His head went down, and a beller came out of him that said much as "I -want you"--Up went Smoky's withers followed by the hump that made the -saddle twist like on a pivot, and last came steel muscles like shot -out of the earth and which carried the whole mixed up and crooked -conglameration of man and horse up in mid air and seemed like to shake -there for a spell before coming down. All seemed heads and tails and -made a picture of the kind that was mighty hard to see, and still -harder to figger out. - -Saddle strings was a popping like on a whip lash, leather was a -squeaking, corrals shook as the hard hitting hoofs of the pony hit the -earth, and a dust was stirred that looked like a young cloud. Smoky was -scared, mad, and desperate. All the action, strength, and endurance -that was in him was brought out to do its best. Not a hair on his hide -was laying idle thru the performance,--every muscle tightened and -loosened in a way to shake the weight on his back and make it pop. - -Clint felt the muscles work even thru the saddle, and every part of -that pony which his legs touched seemed as hard as steel and full of -fast working bumps which came and went, twisted his saddle under him, -and made him wonder if it was going to stay. It seemed like sometimes -that Smoky was headed one way and his saddle another,--he wasn't always -sure of the whereabouts of that pony's head; and in all his riding -that's what he wanted to keep track of most, cause losing track of a -horse's head at them times is something like riding blindfolded--a -rider would prepare for one kind of a jolt and meet another, which -would cause things to scatter considerable. - -Clint was still straight up and on top when Smoky's hard jumps finally -dwindled down to crowhops and then a stop. That pony was needing -wind mighty bad, and as his nostrils opened wide, was taking in the -necessary air, he felt a hand a rubbing along his neck, and wild eyed, -ears cocked back at the cowboy that was still there, he stood and heard -him talk. - -"You done a mighty fine job little horse," says Clint, "and I'd of been -disappointed a lot not to've found that kind of spirit in a horse like -you." - - * * * * * - -If Smoky had been raised amongst humans like a dog and been with 'em -steady that way, he'd of had a hunch or felt what Clint said and meant. -But Smoky was a wild horse of the flats and mountains, and even tho the -sound of Clint's tone and the feel of his hand soothed him some, he -would buck again and again. It was his instinct to fight the human, and -he would fight till that human showed he could handle him and proved a -friend. - -That had to be done gradual, and Smoky had no way to know as yet that -man could be a friend of his, not while the breaking was going on -anyway, for thru that spell a horse is _made_ to do things he sometimes -don't want to do and which all keeps down the confidence that would -come faster if that didn't have to be done. - -Smoky was doing some tall figgering as he stood there trembling and -wondering if there wasn't anything that he could get by with. He'd been -made to do things just as that cowboy pleased and he'd found no say -in the goings on, none at all. If he could only've bucked him off that -would of pleased him a lot, but the little horse didn't know that he -wouldn't of won anything by that;--he didn't know he was on this earth -for the purpose of the human and that if he did throw one man another -would climb him till finally he'd have to give in and go thru a lot of -grief the while. - -Smoky felt a light slap on his neck. "Come on, young feller," says the -cowboy. "Lets see you trot around the corral a while." - -But Smoky bucked more than he trotted, the cowboy let him, and when his -head would come up he'd keep him on the go till finally there seemed to -be no buck in the horse at all. - -"I reckon that'll be enough for you to-day," says Clint, as he headed -Smoky for the side of the corral and made him face the bars to a stop. -He then reached for the pony's left ear and twisted it some, just -enough to keep that pony's attention on the twist of that ear most -while he got off. - -Clint touched the ground with his right foot, and keeping his left in -the stirrup, at the same time keeping close to the horse's shoulder -and out of the reach of his hind feet, he held that position for a few -seconds. Smoky was watching him, shaking like a leaf and ready to paw -the daylight out of the cowboy at the first wrong move or sudden jab of -a knee. - -Clint _wanted_ him to watch. This was part of the eddication, and all -that cowboy wanted to teach right then was for Smoky to stand and not -to go to acting up. Slow and easy, at the same time having complete -control of himself and his horse, Clint raised himself up in the saddle -again. It was done in a way that only bronc busters know. Smoky never -even felt the pull on the saddle as the cowboy climbed on, and if that -saddle hadn't even been cinched it wouldn't of budged then, so neat it -was done. - -Clint climbed on and off a few times that way, Smoky stood and -shivered, scared, but willing it seemed like to take his medicine. -Maybe it'd come to his mind that there was no use fighting that cowboy, -or else he was getting tired--anyway that was the last of it, Smoky -felt the cinch loosen and then slow and easy the saddle was pulled off. -About that time he whirled and faced the rider who was holding the -saddle, he took a sniff at the hunk of leather and snorted like to say, -"Gee! I thought that thing was on me for good." - -The saddle was set to one side and the cowboy begin rubbing Smoky's -back with a gunny sack, and according to the way that pony acted that -felt mighty good, his upper lip stuck out and twitched with every -motion of the rubbing, and when Clint finally quit the little horse's -action showed plain that he should do it some more, Clint rubbed again. - -"I'm afraid," he says as he grinned and rubbed, "that I'm naturally -going to spoil you. Here we just got thru with the first saddling and -you're beginning to look for favors already." - - * * * * * - -Smoky's picket grounds was moved to a fresh one for that night and -where the grass was tall, a plenty and green,--but somehow his -appetite wasn't at its best, and when the break of day come there -was very little sign (as Clint noticed) that the pony had et at all. -He'd just stood in one spot, looked like, and seemed to've done tall -wondering and figgering instead of feeding. He was ganted up the same -as if he'd been rode all that night, and still there was no show of any -appetite for the feed that was under and all around him. - -As Clint worked in the corral busy with other broncs he'd look thru the -bars for any show of interest in the little horse, he'd look often but -most every time that pony's position was about the same, and if he did -catch him with his head down he noticed how Smoky was just nibbling at -the feed, and not eating much. - -Smoky was taking the change, from the life he'd led to what he was now -going thru kinda hard, harder than the average wild horse ever does, -and Clint layed it that the little horse had more brains than the -average, more sensitive maybe, and more able to realize. - -"I guess I'd better lay off of him to-day," decides the cowboy, as -he noticed very little change in him even late that afternoon, "he's -having a hard time trying to figger things out as it is." - -It was bright and early the next morning when Clint looked out of the -bunk house door and noticed Smoky out on the creek bottom. It appeared -that the little horse, after figgering and figgering, had come to some -sort of decision, and that done and settled had went to eating again, -for that's what he was doing when Clint looked out,--Smoky was eating -like he was trying to make up for the time he'd lost, and he seemed -all at peace with everything in general. - -The cowboy grinned, "I know what that son of a gun has decided on," -he remarked. "He's going to fight, and I see where I'm sure due for a -tossing from that pony to-day." - -Clint done his day's work, and after riding and lining out nine head of -rough and kinky broncs, went to where Smoky was picketed and led him -into the corral where he'd been initiated a couple of days before. He -was some kind of a different horse than what he'd been that day, his -head was higher and more with just one purpose. He didn't shy and snort -at every little thing like he did that first time, and Clint noticed -that he never seemed to see the saddle as it was eased on his back and -cinched. - -"I don't like the sound of them 'rollers' that's making that noise in -them nostrils of yours," he remarked; "they sound to me like you meant -business." - -Smoky did mean business, and even tho Clint was doing considerable -kidding, he meant business too, he wasn't going to let the little horse -get away with anything, for he realized that if he did it'd be harder -than ever to persuade him to be good, he'd have to be treated rough, -and Clint didn't want to treat him rough. - -The cowboy seen the light in Smoky's eyes and understood it, he -understood his every action, and they all meant fight. - -"I'm glad to see so much spirit in you old boy," he says as he pulled -his hat down, "but if you want to fight I'll have to fight too, and -here's hoping the best one of us wins;--let's go." - -Smoky only shook his head a little as Clint put his hand on his left -eye and mounted, he didn't want to notice a little thing like that, -which was just as much a warning from him for that cowboy to get set, -set well and solid, for in this next performance things was a going to -pop worse than ever. - -There's a big difference between the bucking that comes with the first -setting of a bronc and the bucking that comes with the settings that -follows afterwards on that same bronc. The first time Smoky was rode -he was just a plain scared pony, of course his intentions was all to -the good towards throwing that cowboy, saddle and all, off, but he was -too scared and desperate to try and figger out how that should be done. -He'd learned from that first setting that plain bucking wouldn't faze -that rider, he'd have to use some science, and with a cool head, study -out the weak points the rider might have, and work on them weak points -till a shadow on the ground tells him the cowboy is _leaving_. - -Smoky had learned that it wouldn't get him anything to stampede hot -headed into bucking like he did that first time, maybe that's what he'd -been studying on the last day or so. Anyway, he was some cool horse, -and when he "bowed his head" this time it was all done deliberate and -easy. He lined out with a few easy jumps just to sort of feel out how -that cowboy was a setting as a preliminary, and with an eye back on all -the movements of the rider as he went, he layed his plans on just how -to proceed and get his man. - -It was just when Clint seemed to be riding his easiest when without -warning Smoky "broke in two" and brought out some mighty wicked -saddle-twisting, and cowboy-loosening jumps; crooked, high, and hard -hitting was them jumps. It looked to the horse like his man was -loosened at the sudden turning of events and had been shifted to one -side a little,--and that's just what Smoky was looking for to carry on -the program he'd mapped out. - -It was the first encouragement that pony'd got since he first felt a -rope on him, maybe he could get it over that cowboy yet. He bucked all -the harder from the new energy the signs of winning brought him. No -chance did he give so that the cowboy would ever get back in the saddle -and straight up, and every jump from then on was used as a kind of -leverage against the rider,--he bucked in a circle and every time he'd -hit the ground he was his whole length back from where he'd started up. - -The cowboy was well up on the fork of the saddle and still to one side. -Smoky bucked on, and cool as a cucumber in a mountain stream, kept -a watching and took care that he didn't buck back under him. He was -holding his own, and looked for signs of the rider loosening some more, -but no sign of that showed. The cowboy was still to one side and well -up in the saddle, but he sure hung there, and with his left hand on the -"Mecate" (hackamore rope) he kept his right up in the air and fanned on -the same as ever. - -As the fight kept on and no show of the cowboy ever loosening up any -more was seen, Smoky begin to wonder. He'd tried different tactics and -with all his figgering and variety of side-winding he couldn't tear -away from that hanging hunk of humanity. He was getting tired, his -lungs begin to call for air and pretty soon he wasn't so cool no more. - -All that was in him, science and everything, was brought out on a few -more earth shaking jumps, and when a glance back showed Smoky the rider -was still setting there, he got desperate again and begin to see red. -He bellered and at the same time forgot all he'd studied on in the ways -of getting his man. - -[Illustration: When a glance back showed Smoky the rider was still -there, he got desperate again and begin to see red.] - -The fight didn't last long after that, it was too furious and -unscientific. Smoky fought the air, the earth, and everything in -general,--nothing in perticular was his aim, and pretty soon he lined -out in long easy crowhops and then a standstill. - -Clint climbed off as Smoky stood spraddle-legged and took in the air. -The little horse never seemed to notice him and in a hazy way felt the -rider's hand rubbing around his ears and straightening out his mane. - -"I knowed you'd give me a tossing to-day," says Clint. - -And there was one thing Smoky didn't know: it was that no time during -the fight did the cowboy feel he was losing his saddle; a setting to -one side the way he had been was just a long-staying holt of his, -something like a half nelson with the wrastler. - -Poor Smoky had lost again, but in a way he'd won,--he'd won the heart -of a cowboy, cause, thru that fight that cowboy's feelings was for the -little horse. He'd seen, understood, and admired the show of thinking -qualities and the spirit which was Smoky's. - - * * * * * - -The idea might be got, on account of Smoky being the steady loser, -that his spirit would get jarred and finally break, but if anybody -thinking so could of seen that horse the next day that idea would of -been scattered considerable. His time on the picket rope had been spent -on _more_ thinking and figgering, and the way he went after the tall -grass showed he meant to be in shape to carry thru whatever the new -scheme was. - -And some would of thought it queer to've seen how Smoky, the steady -loser in the contest, seemed to hold no grudge or hate against the -winning cowboy. As it was, that pony seemed to welcome that human a lot -as he walked towards him the next morning, and the way he rubbed his -head against the shoulder of that smiling rider showed that the fights -in the corral had got to be some friendly. Both was mighty serious, and -both meant to win in them fights, but soon as they was over and the -dust cleared there was a feeling the likes of when two friends have an -argument, when the argument comes to an end both the loser and winner -are ready to grin, shake hands, and be friends again. - -Smoky had lost out twice in trying to dodge out from under his man, but -he was nowheres near convinced as yet that it couldn't be done. The -third time Clint climed him that pony bucked harder than ever and that -cowboy just sat up there and let him. Clint had whipped _some_ horses -for bucking that way, but he'd whipped them because it was natural -orneriness that made 'em buck. With Smoky it was different, there was -no meaness in him so far,--that pony was confident that nothing could -set him once he got onto the hang of knowing how to buck real well, -and all he wanted was to be _showed_ for sure that Clint could really -set there and ride him thru his worst that way. After that was done -he'd most likely quit. - - * * * * * - -The first couple of times Smoky was rode and after he'd quit his -bucking, there hadn't been much more to it excepting that Clint would -just run him around a bit and turn him a few times till the hump was -well down on that pony's back. Smoky had got to thinking that was all -would ever come of being corraled and saddled, and so, he was some -surprised, when after the bucking spell was over at that third setting, -to see the corral gate opened wide, the cowboy on him again, and -heading him for open country. - -Smoky took to the high ridges like a duck takes to water, he trotted -out like a good horse, and then was put into a long lope. Covering -territory felt mighty good to the little horse for a change and he -wasn't caring much where the cowboy lined him out to. For a spell he'd -forgot the weight on his back, his ears was straight ahead, and the -hand he felt on his neck only reminded some that somebody was _with_ -him. - -He was needing that change after being bested again like he'd been that -third time. Clint had won once more and Smoky was a lot in favor of -something, most anything, to drive off the feeling he'd got in losing. -He was taking advantage of the run in that way and sashayed at a good -clip, all went fine, till, of a sudden a jack rabbit scared out of -his hiding place jumped up and right under Smoky's nose,--he shied -straight up and to one side, and at the same time he was scared more -by the wing of Clint's chap which had curled up and slapped along his -shoulder. Away he went to bucking once again. - -The first few jumps was mighty wicked but they didn't last; he'd -already had his buck out not long before and pretty soon he -straightened into a lope once again. Clint let him lope a ways then -turned him and headed him back to the corrals, stopped him there, -turned him a few times and started him out a ways only to turn him and -bring him back again. That went on for a few minutes, and then Smoky -was unsaddled and put on the picket rope once more. - -The run had tired Smoky a little and give him an appetite. He didn't -do so much figgering on how to get his man that night, and instead he -grazed more, rested some, and even slept a little. When he was led to -the corral the next day and the saddle put on he even neglected to -watch the cowboy and begin to show interest in the broncs that was in -another corral. His ambitions hadn't allowed him to do that before, -but somehow, things had changed.--Figgering ways and means of throwing -off that rider had got to be tiresome, specially when nothing but -disappointment was ever got by it; and besides that saddle and man was -getting so they wasn't so bad to stand up under no more. - -But as neutral as Smoky showed and felt, that little son of a gun -bucked again. Of course there was nothing in his bucking that was so -wicked as it had been in them first three saddlings; it was more that -he felt he should buck _some_, it made him feel better, and besides he -was wanting exercise; but he raised the dust and pounded the earth in -good shape even at that, and that play of his would of throwed many a -man. - -Another run like the one of the day before, a few turnings and -teachings on the feel of the rein, and Smoky was thru for another day. -He was getting used to the lay of the program Clint had set, and the -new game that was brought on right along as he was rode begin to draw -the pony's interest. - -Then one day, the cowboy begin dragging a rope on him; he let it drag -quite a ways, and even tho Smoky watched it mighty close so it wouldn't -circle around his legs and throw him like most ropes always did, it -didn't worry him much. Pretty soon Clint coiled the rope up and made -a loop which he started whirling in the air,--the whirling was slow -and easy at first and done with a small loop. Smoky looked back all -interest and snorted a little; he wondered what that rope was doing up -there and what Clint was up to. - -[Illustration: Smoky wondered what a rope was doing up there.] - -But nothing happened only that the whirling kept up, the loop was -gradually made bigger and then it was throwed on the ground a ways -in front of him. Smoky shied and snorted and the coils shot out, -straightened, and all of it pulled up again by the cowboy, but he -didn't try to run away from it, he hadn't forgot the eddication he'd -received from the long soft picket rope. He'd learned from it that it -didn't pay to stampede when a rope was around, on account that them -ropes had a way of stopping him that couldn't at all be argued with. - -Loops was made, throwed out, and drug in again one right after -another. They went one side one time, and another side the next, then -in front and back, till Smoky begin to lose fear no matter which way -the rope went or how it coiled up. It was at the point when he was -beginning to lose interest in the game that Clint roped a small bush. -The rope tightened on it and Smoky pulled,--he pulled more in wonder -what was holding him than with the idea of what he should do, but -anyway the bush came out and headed straight for Smoky as it did, he -struck at it and would of left from there, but Clint held him and made -him face it. - -[Illustration: The bush came out and headed straight for Smoky.] - -Smoky shook like a leaf as slow but sure the cowboy kept a pulling -the bush towards him, he struck again and snorted as it touched his -front feet, and he bucked a couple of jumps when he felt it up along -his shoulder, but there was no getting away from it; the way that bush -moved, it looked like something vicious to Smoky, and when Clint took -the rope off of it, and held it out under the pony's nose for him to -see what it was the little horse near showed signs of shame for getting -scared. - -Loose stumps, branches, pieces of old wagons, and everything that could -be drug or moved was roped,--anything that was light enough was pulled -up for Smoky to investigate, and each time he was showed that he'd been -shying and fighting for no reason, till finally, nothing could be found -that brought any more than a snort from him. An old coal oil can was -then roped and brought up a rattling under Smoky's nose, but he even -stood his ground at that. - -He was learned to pull on the rope and made to drag things as heavy as -a yearling critter. Then gradually Clint made him keep the rope tight -and hold it that way till a couple of light jerks on it made him give -slack. All that took time, and the cowboy learned him only one thing -each day, sometimes very little of that one thing,--but as the days -went by it all accumulated to a lot. - -It done Clint's heart good to watch the way Smoky was taking to things, -his little ears worked back and forth, and with his eyes he never -missed a move that went on, his nostrils quivered at all that was new, -and the cowboy was noticing with a glad feeling that the pony was -putting a lot of trust in him, a word from that cowboy, or a touch from -his hand was getting to mean a lot when that pony was dubious or at the -point of scaring at some new happening. - -Clint hunted up a bunch of cattle one day and acquainted Smoky with -some pointers in the handling of the critters. He'd haze the horse -in the bunch, cut out some fat kinky yearling, and make him put his -interest on that yearling only. All was a puzzle to Smoky at first, -and he had no idea of what he should do, but Clint give him his time, -and coaching him along it wasn't but a few days when the little -horse understood some of what was wanted of him. In the meantime the -teachings with the rope wasn't left behind, that went along with -working cattle, and once in a while Clint would snare some big calf -and make Smoky keep his nose along that rope while the calf circled, -bucked, and bellered. - -Smoky showed signs of liking all that went on. He took interest in it -the same as a kid would to some new game,--he liked to chase the wild -eyed cow, turn her when she didn't want to be turned, and put her where -she didn't want to be put, he liked to hold the rope tight on one of -the critters and feel that _he_ was the one that was keeping 'er -down. It all struck him as a kind of a game where every animal before -him had to do as _he_ and the cowboy wished. - -[Illustration: He liked to chase the wild-eyed cow, turn her when she -didn't want to be turned, and put her where she didn't want to be put.] - -He was all for catching on and not a nerve in him was idle as Clint -would take him of evenings and ride him out for a spell, and chase, cut -out, or rope at the critter. Them goings on had his mind occupied and -the fact that he'd figger and think on the subject between times was -proved by the way he'd go at things in a decided and knowing how way, -when the day before the same thing had left him puzzled and wondering. - -That little work he was getting and the all heart interest he was -finding in it, had settled him to the big change from the free life -he'd led with the old buckskin horse and the bunch of mares and -colts,--his mammy was even forgotten, and instead there'd sprouted in -him something that made him take a liking for the long lanky cowboy -that came to see and _play_ with him every day. He'd got to finding a -lot of pleasure in doing just what that cowboy wanted him to do, and -when that was done there was a hankering in him to do just a little bit -more. - -That's the way Clint wanted to keep him; just a hankering to do more -would get results, and he was careful to see that the little horse -didn't tire on the work. He wanted to make it play for him and keep it -that way as long as he could, for he knowed that was the way to keep -Smoky's heart and spirit all in one hunk and intact. - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - SMOKY SHOWS HIS FEELINGS - - -Jeff Nicks, cow foreman of the Rocking R outfit, was riding along and -headed for the horse camp where Clint was breaking horses. Spring works -was over and Jeff thinking it was a good time for him to do a little -lone riding and kinda visit the camps of the outfit, had left his straw -boss in charge of the wagon, caught his best horse and strung out to -cover some of the Rocking R territory. - -It was a hot day, not a breath stirred the air, and as the old cowman -rode he lifted his hat often to kinda let a fresh supply of atmosphere -come in underneath. His big brown horse was covering ground in a -running walk, and Jeff keeping him down to that gate when he wasn't -passing a coulee nor a draw without a glance in it and then to the -skyline above. It was his habit as a cowman to keep his eyes on the job -while riding, and for the good of the company or his own, nary a thing -had ever escaped his vision unless it was just too far for that vision -to reach. - -It was as he was riding along natural that way, that he noticed a thin -streak of dust to the right of him quite a ways; that dust wasn't made -by anything traveling fast, and even tho it reached up in the air -good and high Jeff could see at a glance that the dust was stirred by -something dragging. - -He stopped his horse so as to get a steadier view, and pretty soon he -could make out the shape of a horse underneath that dust; something -that looked like a turned pack was fastened or hanging on to him and -dragging alongside. - -Jeff had seen many happenings on the range between man and horse and -from that figgered to always investigate anything that suspicioned of -something gone wrong, and to investigate quick.--He put his horse in a -high lope. Down draws, over rolling hills, and acrost dog towns he went -all at the same speed, and pretty soon he comes to where there's only a -small ridge between him and what he wanted to investigate. - -It was then that he figgered it best to take it slow till he'd seen -just what was up; if some rider had got caught in his riggin' some -way as a horse fell, and that horse was wild and unbroke, riding in -on a high lope would only make things worse and cause the horse to -stampede.--Nobody knowed that better than Jeff did. - -He got off his horse, walked a ways, and peeking thru the tall grass -seen the whole goings on at a glance. Fifty yards below him was a mouse -colored horse,--looked like a half broke bronc to him on account of -the way the hackamore was rigged,--but that horse didn't act like half -broke. He was going thru a performance that most gentle broke range -horses wouldn't put up with, and that was to half carry and half drag a -man, _and on the wrong side_. - -Jeff recognized that man as his "bronc peeler" Clint, and he was -all for rushing down to see what had happened and help, but he held -back,--he wasn't sure but what the mouse colored horse would scare and -run away at the sight of him, and he couldn't tell but what Clint's -hands was fastened to the saddle horn the way he was hanging on. - -He could see there was still life in the rider, but if the man was -conscious he wasn't showing very good sense by hanging on the wrong -side of a half broke horse that way. Still, as he watched, Jeff begin -to wonder. He noticed for one thing that the horse was headed straight -for camp, Clint's camp, and then there was another thing he noticed -and which made him wonder and watch more than ever--The mouse colored -gelding wasn't dragging his man, he was more kinda helping him along -seemed like, each step that horse took was with care and in favor of -the man alongside; the pony watched every move that man made, and if -the steps sorta lagged or hesitated he stopped or slowed down till the -man braced up some and went again. - -Jeff's mouth was wide open with wonder as he watched the goings on, and -when a little while later the gelding happened along a big rock, and -seen him stop while the man tried to use the rock to get from it up in -the saddle, Jeff wondered some more. - -"By japers, I've seen and handled thousands of horses," says Jeff, "but -I never thought any horse ever had that much sense." - -The old cowman watched for near a half an hour while Clint tried to -get on his horse. He seen the horse stand there, all patience and a -helping the best he could, and finally, with the help of the rock, the -favoring of the horse, and the little strength the man had, and all -put together, Clint was setting in the saddle at last. The hackamore -reins was hanging loose; nothing was holding that pony from bucking, -stampeding, or do anything he pleased, but he stepped slow and easy, -and ears cocked ahead, packed his man to camp with the same care any -human would take. - -Jeff got on his horse and keeping well behind followed. What he'd just -seen had got him to the point where he begin a talking to himself, his -horse, and the country around. - -"Yessir, by japers, and he let Clint get on him from the wrong side -too, why this daggone old gentle horse I'm riding now wouldn't let -me do that--But then, maybe I better not be too sure about that, I'm -beginning to believe from what I've just seen that there's things going -on in horses' think tanks that's mighty surprising and which don't come -out till the right time shows up." - -A couple of hours and the camp was reached. Jeff looked around the big -corrals as he rode closer for signs of Clint and the mouse colored -bronc, and sure enough, there the both of 'em are,--Clint is still in -the saddle and to all appearance unconscious; the gelding is standing -by the corral gate, still, and waiting. - -The cowman rode on towards 'em, but he soon had to stop, for he noticed -as the gelding sees him how by that pony's action, he wasn't for -standing in one spot no longer at the sight of a strange rider coming -on him that way. Jeff had to manouver around considerable to keep that -horse from hightailing it. The only way he could do it was to go back -the way he came till out of sight, once there he circled around till he -came up on the camp from the opposite side, the corrals and a long shed -was between him and the half broke horse with his unconscious rider. - -Jeff left his horse out of sight, and hugging close to the shed made -his way to where the mouse colored gelding had been; a peek thru a -hole in the wall showed him the horse was still there, and Clint still -in the saddle. How to proceed from then on was a sort of ticklish -proposition. Jeff didn't want the pony to get scared, run away and -throw the hurt rider, and still, he couldn't let the rider stay where -he was. - -He had to take a chance and do the best he could. Around the corner of -the shed he came, and slow and easy, showed himself to the wild eyed -gelding; he talked to him, and that seemed to help some, for the little -horse stood his ground. _Stood his ground_ is correct, but Jeff had -hesitated somehow from coming any closer,--he noticed a light in that -pony's eyes which warned him plain to keep his distance, and even tho -Jeff was half peeved and half leary at the stand the pony had took he -couldn't help but admire the show of liking that half broke gelding had -for the rider that was still unconscious in the saddle, and laying with -his head on the pony's bowed neck. - -The horse's actions had all been a puzzle to Jeff at first, and as he -finally understood, it all left him mighty surprised and in a trance -with wonder. He'd expected that horse to start running away at the -sight of him, but instead, he was showing fight, the pony wasn't -wanting to go no further with the hurt rider, he wasn't going to trust -no strange human with that helpless pardner of his. - - * * * * * - -Two months or more had passed since Clint and Smoky had met in the dust -of the bare corral. In that time the man and horse'd had fights, some -had been mighty wicked, and the wild horse would of killed the man too -if the chance had come, but all thru them fights the man had won,--slow -and easy, but he'd won. Then gradually Smoky begin to get confidence in -the human, and then a liking; he'd got to looking for his company and -would nicker with a glad feeling as he'd see that human come towards -him of evenings, and he'd go the length of his picket rope to meet him. - -Steady good treatment from the rider, no matter what the horse done, -had won that pony's heart, till the little horse could near be seen -smiling with the happy feeling that was his every time Clint came, -saddled him, and rode him out for a little play with the rope and -critter. - -That's the way Smoky's feelings had come to be for the bow legged -rider, and taking all as was, it's no wonder the horse showed fight -when a strange human appeared. In his life Smoky had seen no other but -Clint; he knowed _him_, but he didn't know the others, and he had no -more love for them than he had when he was first run in from his free -range. Them others was still enemies to him, and right then when that -pony felt his pardner was depending on him most, he was sure ready to -paw the daylight out of that stranger if he came any closer. He was -his enemy, and according to his way of thinking, he was or should be -Clint's enemy too. - -Jeff stood there figgering for quite a spell a trying to digest and -believe what that pony showed, it couldn't come to him to hurt or kill -such a horse so as to get the man, and he'd just decided to get his -rope, throw a loop over his head and snub him close to the corral, when -the rider begin to show signs of life. - -"Come to, Clint," hollered the cowman as he noticed the rider move, -"and get off that horse." - -Clint raised his head some at the sound of the voice, and as Jeff -kept a speaking to him he made a big effort to understand and try to -do as he was told. Pain showed in his face as he tried to straighten -himself in the saddle, and as Jeff feared that the rider would lose -consciousness again he hollered at him not to try to straighten up, but -just slide off and hang on. - -With a lot of pain and time and coaching from Jeff, Clint finally -managed to raise one leg over the cantle of the saddle and let -himself slide to the ground. Smoky stood still as a statue and as -solid, his eyes was on Jeff with a steady warning for him to keep his -distance--and Jeff did. - -[Illustration: Smoky's eyes was on Jeff with a steady warning in 'em -for him to keep his distance--and Jeff did.] - -"Hang on to the saddle," coached Jeff, "try and get the horse thru the -gate in the corral, and I'll close the gate on him." - -That was done in time, and as the gate was closed Clint's hands went -limp and he fell to the ground. Lucky it was that Jeff could reach him -thru the corral bars, but he had to do considerable manouvering even -then to get the cowboy thru and under so as not to stir Smoky. And it -was a mighty good thing for Jeff as he picked Clint up and started -towards the house that there was bars high and strong between him and -that pony, for as high and strong as that corral was Jeff worried some -and, looking back over his shoulder as he went, wondered if it would -hold him. - - * * * * * - -The sun had sunk away, and dark had come before Clint came to well -enough so things was plain to him and he could talk. Jeff had made him -as comfortable as was possible, boiled some "jerky" and made a strong -broth which he was holding under Clint's nose for him to sniff at. - -That cowboy sniffed, looked around, and then said, "where's Smoky?" - -"If you mean that mouse colored fighting son of a gun of a horse you -was on," says Jeff, "why he's in the corral, and a fretting his head -that I'm going to eat you up." - -Clint couldn't quite get the meaning of that just then, and he asked, -"I wonder if you wouldn't go take the saddle off of him and put him on -the picket rope where he'd get something to eat. He's gentle, and you -can handle him easy." - -Jeff snorted and laughed, "gentle,----? I wouldn't try to handle him if -you'd give me this whole outfit, I'm not enough of a bronc fighter no -more, and that aint all, that pony is just a hankering for me to stick -my beezer thru that corral." - -Smoky circled around the corral not at all minding the saddle -that was on him, he wasn't caring for any grass either, he was too -peeved and restless. If Clint had been right side up and able, things -would of been different and Smoky would of hardly even noticed the -stranger.--There seems to be a heap of difference in the feelings of -any thinking animal when a pardner is sick or dying,--the little horse -knowed as well as any human that something had went wrong with his -pardner, and the appearance of the stranger at such a time was worrying -him. - -The next day was well along and the sun getting high, when Jeff helped -Clint on his feet and half carried him towards the corral where Smoky -had put in the night. Clint staggered on alone from the gate and the -little horse nickering came to meet him,--his ears was all ahead and -with his eyes a shining, he looked all interest and like he wanted -to ask questions. He then spotted Jeff, and at the sight of him, his -expression changed, his eyes showed fire, and his ears layed back on -his neck. - -"Well, I'll be daggoned," says Clint as he noticed the horse's actions. -He looked back at the old cowman and grinned, wondering,--but the old -cowman wasn't grinning any. Jeff figgered it best for him to vanish for -a spell, Smoky was unsaddled, and put on good feed and water, which all -seemed to take Clint a powerful lot of time; but he finally showed up -and Jeff helped him back to the house. - -It was on the way over that Clint begin to speak, and on a subject -that'd been on his mind for a long time. "You know, Jeff," he says, "I -think the time has come for me to quit riding broncs, I feel like I -better quit, specially after this last that's happened to me." - -"What _did_ happen anyway?" asks Jeff. - -"It was all on account of a fool cow," starts Clint, "she'd showed -signs of wanting to leave the country soon as she seen me riding up on -her, and being she was good and fast, I figgered it'd be a good time -to line Smoky out after her and let him turn 'er over a few times. I -throwed my rope but the loop didn't land good, it just sorta sailed in -front of her, and she stepped in it. About that time I jerked up my -slack and I jerked it too hard. Down went the critter all in a heap and -sudden, so sudden that with the speed Smoky was going he couldn't stop -in time, and first thing we knowed we both was straddle the critter. - -"But she didn't stay down long, she got up just at the wrong time and -just right to yank Smoky's front feet from under him, raise him up in -the air with me on top, and just turned us a couple of somersets before -we landed on the other side. - -"I didn't know much more after that, till now, I just sorta felt a -weight on my back, and that was all. Maybe I got under Smoky somehow -as we fell, but I think it's that fool cow that stepped on me and -separated me from my thoughts. - -"I'll most likely be all right in a few days, but I recognize this -ailing. I got hurt a few years ago from an ornery black horse I was -breaking for the Three C's, and being that I don't want this ailing to -come back with me to stay, I figger I better quit riding rough ones. -There's other parts of me that's hankering for me to quit too, and -if you'll let me join the boys at the wagon, I'm mighty willing that -somebody else gets my job here." - -Clint was quiet for a spell, and then pretty soon he goes on, "But -there's one favor I want to ask, Jeff, if you'll let me stay with the -outfit, I want to ask that you let me keep Smoky in my string and as -long as I'm with the company." - -What the cowboy had just said come from what he'd figgered, thought -out, and worried on, ever since he'd first set eyes on Smoky. Clint -liked all horses, maybe a little too much, but even at that he liked -Smoky still more. The fear that somebody else would lay claim to the -horse'd had him doing some tall thinking. He knowed that as long as he -was breaking horses his work would come with raw broncs only and all -half broke horses would be took away from him as fast as he'd turn 'em -out. Smoky would had to go too. - -And that's where the hitch came. He figgered he'd have to quit breaking -horses and go to riding the range, and take the big chance that the -horse might be took away from him even then. He'd noticed how Jeff had -stood, watched, and admired Smoky, and if signs of a human wanting -anything right bad ever showed, there was never no signs more visible -than Clint had seen on Jeff's features when the horse was in sight. - -There'd been only one way out for the cowboy, and he'd took it.--There -was a worried look on his face as he glanced at the foreman and waited -for him to answer, but Jeff didn't seem to want to answer right then, -and instead he asked: - -"How long have you had that horse up, Clint?" - -"Two months and maybe a little over," says Clint, wondering some at the -question. - -"Wasn't there a couple of boys here about a month ago to get _all_ the -broncs you'd started?" - -"Yes." - -"Well then, why didn't you let 'em have that horse Smoky, he was as -well broke then as any of the broncs the boys came after, wasn't he?" - -Clint begin to take interest in looking at the wall of the bunk house -about that time. He grinned a little, and finally he answered: - -"Well, Jeff, I guess you know why." - -Jeff did know why, and knowed it a plenty. What he'd seen going on -between Smoky and the cowboy the day before and that morning had -already answered why Clint had hid the horse when the boys came to haze -away the broncs he'd "started." The foreman grinned back at the layed -up rider and placed a hand on his shoulder, the same as to say that he -understood. - -"As long as I'm with this outfit," he says, "and which from all -indications will be a long time, you're mighty welcome to join the -wagon as one of my riders. You'll be getting 'top-hand' wages too, -Clint, the best string of ponies I can put together, and as for Smoky, -why--I sure would like that horse." - -Clint's heart fluttered up his throat and came near choking him--"Yep! -I'd sure like to have him," went on the foreman "but, after thinking it -all over, I figger that horse really belongs to you more than he does -to the company or me. He's a one man horse and you're the one man, -Clint, and even if the horse took a liking to me, which I know wont -happen, I'll sure never want to take him away from you--not after what -I've seen." - - * * * * * - -Clint had underfiggered considerable when he'd said how he thought -he'd be all right again in a few days. A week passed and very little -strength had gathered from his hips up, his back felt as broke, and he -had no power to straighten up again once he'd stoop, he couldn't even -pick up a spur. - -A new rider came one day and took up Clint's work where he'd left it. -From that time on Clint hung around the corrals a talking and watching -the new "hand" ride, and when he wasn't by the corrals, he could be -seen in the shade of the big willows in the creek bottom where Smoky -was picketed. - -Clint had looked at Smoky in a new way since Jeff had come and left. -The visit of the old cowboy had brought out things in that little horse -which Clint hadn't dreamed of ever being in any horse. He'd been mighty -surprised, and then sort of proud that he could raise such a feeling in -the gelding--The horse was good as his too,--that put the cap on his -worries of losing him, and all was well. - - * * * * * - -A month went by, the round up wagons was stringing out for the fall -works, and the cow with the big "weaner" calf was hunting a hole. -There was twenty-two riders with Jeff Nick's wagon, and amongst 'em a -grinning from ear to ear at some joke a cowboy had sprung was Clint, -and riding Smoky. - -Long days of rest had put that cowboy in shape to ride, but not to ride -broncs, and when he at last felt that he could make a hand at riding -"circle," "herd," and "night guard" Smoky had been saddled and rode to -the home ranch, where the wagon was to start from. - -Smoky'd had a long month's rest before Clint saddled and rode him out -that morning, and even tho the rider looked O. K. again to the little -horse, there was a feel from the hackamore rein that as much as asked -him not to buck. He'd bucked that day when Clint had met too much cow, -and far as that goes, he'd bucked some at every saddling, but as the -cowboy started him out for open country and the home ranch that morning -he was made to feel that he should keep his head up for once and line -out without a kink. - -The home ranch had been reached a couple of days later, and there's -where Smoky'd got his first look at a busy cow outfit's main camp. -Cowboys was everywhere, and more of 'em than he could keep track of; -big corrals full of horses, and more horses under the big sheds. Wagons -and tents, and when the round up cook rushed out of a log house to one -side and pranced up to try and shake hands with Clint, Smoky let out a -snort and shied out of reach. - -"Daggone it, Clint," says that hombre, "I was told you'd quit riding -broncs--what in samhill do you call that spooky thing you're setting on -now?" - -"Some horse," answers Clint, grinning. - -Smoky felt some easier when he was finally unsaddled and turned in -amongst the other saddle horses. He took a good roll, shook himself, -and proceeded to get acquainted. It didn't worry him none that very -few of the ponies seemed to want his company and he was mighty busy -going from one of the big corrals into another and giving 'em all -the once over. He finally run acrost a bay gelding which seemed some -familiar, and Smoky must of seemed the same to that gelding too for -both of 'em started to show interest at once and came to meet one -another. - -Necks bowed, they touched nostrils, some explaining and understanding -must of went on cause it wasn't but a few minutes later when each was -scratching the other's neck like two brothers--and that's what they -was, _brothers_. The bay horse was none other than the little colt, -growed up, and which his mammy had brought in the bunch one day over -three years before. - -Signs showed where the saddle had been on his back too. A cowboy had -run him in a couple of weeks before and passed the remark as he piled -his rope on him that, "This little bay horse sure showed the makings of -a cowhorse." - -Jeff had agreed, and that's how come Smoky found him in amongst the -saddle horses that day. He'd showed some of how he'd took a _natural_ -liking for the bay, and if one didn't recognize a brother in the other -the way they went at scratching each other's withers couldn't of meant -much. - -It was thru an intermission at wither scratching that Smoky seen Clint -open the outside gate of the corral and walk in. Alongside of him was -Jeff Nicks who'd come along to point out Clint's string of ponies. -Smoky watched them two for quite a spell, he watched Jeff the most, -but pretty soon went to scratching his brother's withers again. Clint -was all right now and well able to take care of himself, he must of -thought--Anyway there wasn't the feeling in him that Clint needed any -protection. - -Clint had come to see him that evening, and he'd noticed as his pardner -came that some of the cowboys was watching him from the next corral. He -looked over Clint's shoulder at 'em and sent out a long whistling snort. - -"I'm glad Clint didn't break all the broncs like he did that one," -remarked one of the boys as he seen the fight in that pony's eyes. - -"Yep!" says another, "he sure made a _one man_ horse out of him." - -Smoky was turned out in the big pasture that night with the other -horses. Him and his brother paired off soon as they was out of the -corrals and fed together till daybreak brought a rider on the sky line -who corraled 'em all for the new day's work. - -That day's work started early. Sun up found all the boys on their -horses, the chuck wagon, bed wagon and wood wagon teams was all hooked -on and ready to start at a wave of the hand from Jeff. Jeff waved, -and away all went thru the big gates leading out of the home ranch, -three wagons strung out, a "remuda" (saddle bunch) of two hundred -saddle horses followed, and on the "swing" (sides) of the whole outfit -twenty-two riders, riding good and bad horses, loped along--The fall -round up had started. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - SMOKY STARTS OUT - - -The first day of the fall round up was to Smoky a whole lot like the -first day of school to the kid of the settlement, only, Smoky was full -grown and his brain full developed. His eyes stayed wide open and -worked with his ears so that nothing of interest would be missed. - -There was so much that was strange and which kept his senses on the -jump. The big wagons with the four and six horse teams done a lot of -spooky rattling as they followed the pilot, sometimes on a high lope, -across the rolling prairie, over benches and down draws. Then trailing -along close behind the thumping of hoofs of many ponies, the remuda, -made a sound which hinted everything to Smoky, everything from a -stampede on up, and if it hadn't been for the hand that once in a while -was felt on his neck, and the voice which he heard and knowed so well -the little horse would of sure left a streak of dust and away from all -that confusion of wagons and men. - -There was too many riders around him. They all kept too close, and once -in a while as the outfit sashayed on towards the first camp grounds and -some bronc would bust out a bucking and a trying to shed off a cowboy, -Smoky felt a lot like doing the same. But always, and whenever he felt -like "kettling" the most, Clint's hand and voice was there to quiet -him down. That hand and voice worked the same as to prove to Smoky, -that as long as Clint was around close there was nothing for him to -fear. - -As the outfit rambled on, Clint gradually reined Smoky to one side till -he was well away and where he would feel more at ease to watch without -fear all what the layout had to show that was strange. Smoky's ears -then perked up in a different angle, and as Clint talked to him that -spooky looking outfit lining out acrost the range got to look less -spooky and more interesting. - -Smoky followed the outfit and watched it till the sun was well up in -the middle of the sky, then the pilot raised his hand, made a circle -and the wagons followed him to a standstill. A dry camp was made and -the cook had the pots to working a few minutes after the outfit had -come to a stop. The rope corrals was strung out in the wink of an eye -and the remuda run in. - -Smoky had watched the whole proceedings with a lot of interest, the -many horses, men, and all had him to using his eyes and ears to the -limit, and the low snorts he'd let out every once in a while as he -turned to watch all that went on, was as plain as talk, that for -excitement this sure had everything he'd ever seen before beat to a -frazzle. - - * * * * * - -"Come and get it, you Rannies!" It was the cook's holler for the riders -to come and eat. About then Smoky seen Clint headed towards him and -where he'd been left picketed. A little rub back of the ear and Smoky -was led to the rope corral, unsaddled, and turned in with the remuda. - -"Have a good roll, Smoky horse," says Clint as he turned him loose, -"and don't let no ornery pony get the best of you." - -Smoky looked back at Clint for a spell the same as to ask him where -_he_ was going, and as the cowboy stood there watching the little horse -moseyed on and disappeared amongst the saddle bunch. - -The "round-up pan" was filling up with the tin cups and plates as the -cowboys, thru eating, was making their way towards their saddles by the -rope corrals. A hard twist catch rope was unbuckled from them saddles, -loops was shook out, and pretty soon them same loops begin a sailing -and a reaching out like a mighty long arm for the horse each cowboy -picked out for that afternoon's ride. - -Smoky seen and heard the hiss of them loops as they sailed on over past -him to settle around some other pony's neck, and even tho all was done -quiet so none of the horses would start running too much, Smoky had -a mighty restless feeling whenever them snaky ropes appeared. Clint -hadn't roped him only once and that was when he was a raw bronc, but -he hadn't forgot the feeling that'd been his when that same rope had -caught him, stretched him out, and left him plumb helpless. - -His brain was near stampeding with him at the sound of so many ropes, -and once in a while when he'd spot some strange rider carrying one -of them hated coils the sight made him hit for the middle of the -herd,--but even there he wasn't safe, for there was no telling how far -them ropes could reach. - -It was in winding around and thru the thick of the herd, that Smoky -found himself on the edge and crowded against the big rope cable which -was the corral. The sight that met his eye there had him wanting to -hide back in the middle of the herd once again, but he had no chance, -the herd had him wedged where he couldn't move and as it was he had to -stare wild eyed at all that was there for him to see. - -A few feet away was half a dozen riders saddling up, and that's what -kettled Smoky,--the few feet that was between him and them strangers -was too close for comfort. He was just about to try another grand rush -to get back into the middle of the herd when the sound of something -familiar made him hesitate. It was the ring of a spur rowel, a ring -he'd heard often, and pretty soon Smoky spots Clint only a few feet -away from him and leading a strange horse to his saddle. - -Smoky stuck his head and neck out far as he could and nickered at the -sight of the cowboy, and that cowboy having his attention some other -direction at the time was made to turn mighty quick as the well known -nicker was heard.--There was all in Smoky's looks and nicker that -seemed to say "Pardner, I need help." - -[Illustration: Smoky stuck his head and neck out far as he could and -nickered at the sight of the cowboy.] - -Clint laughed, but the laugh wasn't of the kind that comes from a joke. - -"What's the matter, little horse?" - -But Clint knowed what was the matter, he could hear the thump thump -of Smoky's heart as he came nearer, and feel the throb of it as he -layed a hand on his neck. He rubbed on the slick hide a spell, and that -cowboy experienced a mighty great feeling when he noticed as he stayed, -that gradually the pony's heart beats begin to slow down and soon was -behaving normal again. - -Smoky watched the cowboy leave him to go to where his saddle was laying -on the ground out a ways. He watched him put the saddle on the strange -horse, and when Clint came back leading the horse and finished saddling -by Smoky, that pony nipped at the cowboy's chap' leg the same as to say -"Stick around a spell." - -Clint did stick around for a spell. He wasted a lot of good company -time fooling with the latigos and seeing that his rope was coiled up -neat, and even tho he knowed that as a good cowboy he should been -helping tearing down camp, he stuck by the corral and Smoky till the -last rider had caught, saddled, and rode his horse away. The remuda was -let out then, the wrangler circled the bunch and started grazing 'em -till the wagons started again for that night's grounds. - -Smoky was hazed along and lost in the big horse herd, Clint watched -him and when he couldn't see him no more started coiling up the big -cable, which was the rope corral used on open range, and with the help -of another rider put it in one of the wagons where it'd be easy reached -again. - -It'd been less than an hour since the cook had stopped his team and -jumped off the wagon to cook the cowboys' noon bait, and now he was -up on the wagon again and waiting there for the boys to finish hooking -up his team and hand him the "ribbons"--Soon enough that was done, -the pilot started and the cook warwhooped his broncs into a running -start, the bed wagon, loaded down with twenty some odd "Montana Rolls," -took up the swing, and the wood wagon tagged along behind. Then came -the remuda of over two hundred saddle horses and hazing 'em was the -"Wrangatang" (day wrangler). - -The first "circle" of the fall round up was on that afternoon--The -circle starts from wherever the round-up wagon might be. The round-up -wagon of most countries is composed of three wagons, one for "chuck" -and pots and the cook, another for the riders' bedding which is rolled -in big canvas tarpaulins. It takes quite some bedding for twenty or -more men, specially in countries where it's apt to snow in the middle -of June. The third wagon is for wood and water and which is used in -prairie countries where there's neither wood or water to be found for a -ways. - -The cook drives his chuckwagon, the "flunky" (cook's helper) drives the -bed wagon, and the "nighthawk" (rider who herds the remuda at night) -drives the wood wagon. Them three wagons which is called "The Wagon" -is the cowboys' home while on the range. It carries his grub, his -"war bag" (bag of clothes), his bedding, and strips of rawhide which -he salts down and sometimes cuts into strings and braids things like -"bosals" (nose bands) or such. - -"The Wagon" moves camp most every day, and sometimes twice and three -times a day, all depends on how quick the country is "worked." The -"circle" starts from "The Wagon." The twenty or more riders and the -cow foreman ride straight to some point for ten or fifteen miles. On -top of some butte the bunch stops, then the cow foreman "scatters the -riders." He'll send 'em in pairs to the right, left, and straight ahead -and spread 'em fan shape to a certain point where they turn, or where -there's no more cattle to be seen, and they'll head back towards the -wagon again, bringing with 'em all the cattle that's seen in the ride. - -That's what's called a "circle." It averages twenty-five miles and -ends at the wagon where all the riders meet again each bringing with -'em whatever cattle was found. The wagon might of moved and a new camp -set up while the boys was out on "circle," but wherever the wagon is -that's where the "circle" ends. To one side of the camp a mile or so -the "cutting grounds" where the herd is "worked" is the spot where all -the cattle is brought to from that one "circle" and held there for -branding, and cutting out whatever is not wanted. Two "circles" are -made a day. - -Soon as Jeff, the cow foreman, seen the wagons lining out in good shape -for that night's camp he put his horse in a high lope and looking back -at the boys that was doing their best in putting up a ride on the -sun-fishing ponies, he grinned as he seen that all stuck on and fanned, -and felt mighty proud of being the cow boss of such a bunch of riders. - -Clint was riding a big "apelusa" called Chapo, and one of the best -circle horses the outfit had, but he wasn't appreciating him much just -then, and as he rode along leaving the wagons and remuda to his left -his eyes was a whole lot on the dust that remuda made, and a trying to -get a glimpse of a mouse colored piece of horseflesh which he'd called -Smoky. - -But Smoky was getting along fine as he trotted and loped along on -the trail of the wagons. He'd no more than left Clint by the rope -corral when he run acrost that brother of his again and after the two -nickered "Howdedoos" at one another they trailed along side by side, -plum contented with everything in general. The sound of the dozen or so -bells that was strapped to the necks of the oldest and wisest ponies -was new and mighty pleasant to Smoky's ears and it was good to be -roaming again and with so much company. - -It was middle afternoon when the pilot came to a big creek bottom and -circled by a grove of willows and cottonwoods. The second camp of that -day was made, the wrangler let the remuda come to a walk and pretty -soon left 'em to graze on towards the creek a half a mile below camp, -and as he seen that all seemed contented to graze, drink, and roll, -he left 'em to go and put up the rope corral, snake in wood for the -cook, and whatever other things that's all the responsibilities of the -wrangatang. - -He kept one eye on the ponies as he worked and if any restless bronc -showed indications of wanting to start drifting that boy jumped on -his horse, turned him, and watched for a spell till that bronc seemed -satisfied to stay. Many a wrangler had used the excuse of "hard-to-hold -ponies" just so he could get away from too much work, and most always -it was a mighty good excuse too. - -But Smoky and Pecos, which was his brother, had give no such a excuse -to the wrangler. They both seemed mighty satisfied, and after they'd -had a good drink in the cool stream, and a good roll afterwards put -their time in getting away with all the blue joint grass they could. -Every once in a while Smoky would raise his head, and chewing on a -mouthful of the tall feed, would look up at the ridges around him, then -towards the camp and wonder at the noise the cook was making with his -pots and pans. All had him interested, it was all new, and with the -nicker he'd often hear from one side of the scattered remuda and then -the other, the steady ring of the horse bells and all, the little horse -wasn't hankering for anything only just what he was in the thick of. - -He'd been grazing for a good long time, and the sun was hitting towards -the ridges to the west, when to the south a ways he noticed a big dust -a soaring up the sky and a mile high. There was a steady rumbling noise -as the dust came closer and pretty soon he could make out the bellering -of the critter. A big herd it was, the "combings" of the first -"circle," and a thousand head or more of white-faced, brockle-faced, -speckled, red, black, and all colors and sizes of range cattle topped a -ridge and on a high lope was swung towards the "cutting grounds." - -About that time the horse wrangler fogged in on the remuda, and in -a short while Smoky and all the ponies found themselves in the rope -corral once again; the cowboys was needing fresh horses and catch -ropes begin a sailing once more as the twenty and more of 'em snared -their "cut" horses, a few snaked out broncs and pretty soon all hands -was mounted again, and working the herd they'd brought in. - -Smoky was spooked up once more as he heard the ropes sing over his -ears. He heard a familiar voice say "How's she going, Smoky?" but the -little horse was busy hunting a hole about that time and he was too -excited to nicker an answer. Then, after what seemed an awful long time -to Smoky, the ponies was left out of the corral once more and when the -wrangler checked 'em all to graze, him and Pecos was in the lead. - -The ponies was grazing on a low bench and on the opposite side of the -creek from where the cattle herd was being worked. Many was cut out and -started back on the same range from where they come, and pretty soon -Smoky's sensitive nostrils smelled the smoke from the fire that kept -the branding irons hot; then the smell of burnt hair followed, he heard -the beller of the critters, and snorting sorta low and in wonder the -mouse colored pony watched. - -He watched the riders at work, seen long ropes a swinging, and how them -long ropes would stop the bunch-quitting steer; he was familiar with -some of that and somehow there came in him a hunch that he'd like to be -closer; there was something about the workings of that herd across the -creek that had his blood racing above natural, and he felt a kind of a -call for the whole of the goings on, a call of the kind he couldn't as -yet understand, but it was there sure enough. - -Finally, the smell of singed hair wasn't on the breeze no more, -branding was over for that day, and the last rope was coiled up and -fastened by the saddle horn. Smoky watched as all but a few riders left -the herd and headed for camp, he went to grazing then, and neck and -neck with Pecos he listened to the rattle of tin plates and the laugh -of the cowboys as he nosed around for the tenderest stems of the blue -joint. - -Four riders on "cocktail" (hours between the last meal of the day and -the first night guard) got on their horses and rode to "relieve" the -riders holding the herd, and it wasn't long after that when the quiet -of the evening settled on the range. Even the critter seemed to want -to stop bellering for a spell at that time, most of the bells of the -remuda was quiet and the ponies was dozing. - -Smoky had been dozing too, but pretty soon his ears perked up at a -sound the likes of which he'd never heard before, the sound came from -the camp, and strange as it was there was something about it that -wasn't at all aggravating. - -Around a good size fire was gathered the cowboys,--the cook, the -flunky, the wrangler, Jeff the foreman and all was in the circle, all -but the four riders on "cocktail" and the "nighthawk" who'd took the -wrangler's place for the night's herding of the saddle horses. Most -of the boys was setting on or leaning against a big roll of tarpaulin -covered bedding, and one closest to the fire was a working away trying -to get a tune on his mouth organ. - -That was the sound which'd come to Smoky's ears, the older cowhorses -all knowed that sound well, and if any of 'em could of packed a tune -there'd been many in the remuda a humming. - -The song that was being worked at just then had been heard at all the -cow camps and round up wagons of the cow country for many years, and -handed down from the injun fighting cowboy to the son that took up the -trail where he left it and when the horns on the critter wasn't so long -no more. There was a lot of memories stirred up whenever them songs -was heard and many a cowboy got sentimental at the sound of 'em, for -most all cowboys can remember some quiet night when the time of such a -song was spread around the herd;--then of a sudden and for no reason a -stampede is in full swing, a dead cowboy is found under his horse at -the bottom of a fifty foot jump off, and leaves only the memory of the -song he'd been singing that night. - - "Oh, I'm a Texas cowbo-o-oy, and far away from home, - And if I ever get back again no more will I ever roam, - Wyoming's too cold for me-e-e, the winters are too long, - And when round up comes again, my money's all go-o-o-_ne_." - -Clint had got harmonious, and with the other cowboy a trying to keep up -on the mouth organ was singing the song, he mixed in about ten verses -and took in other songs as he went, the tunes changed some, but the -"Texas whang" he carried with the tunes made 'em more or less alike and -all appreciated the same. - -The last verse had died down, some of the boys looked up expecting -more, and others, hat brim pulled down, was stargazing at the fire and -letting the memories the songs had brought lead 'em back to times and -happenings that'd been stirred the most. - -All was quiet, excepting for the crackling of the fire, and one of the -boys was just about to speak the name of some other old song when off -from the direction where the remuda was held, a nicker was heard. - -Clint looked towards where the familiar nicker had come and -smiled,--the cowboy's voice had carried to where Smoky had been -grazing, and the little horse had stopped grinding on his feed soon as -the first verse had hit his ears, he'd listened on thru to the end, -nickered, and watched the fire on the creek bottom from where the voice -had come. - -He watched it long into the night till all was quiet and the fire had -dwindled down to coals; time for first night guard to be relieved was -near and Smoky was still watching. Pecos was dozing off a ways, and -pretty soon Smoky begin to feel a little groggy too and he dozed with -him. - - * * * * * - -A new day was no more than hinted by the paling sky to the east when -the "nighthawk" begin bunching the ponies and hazing 'em towards camp. -It was still faint daylight when the catch ropes was a hissing over the -ponies' heads once again and loops settled around slick necks. Broncs -was drug out, and a fighting against the saddle while the sun was still -back of the ridges, but the day's work had started at the round up camp. - -In a short while the remuda was let out again, and the day wrangler -started grazing 'em while the outfit broke camp for other grounds. -When all was loaded in the big wagons the pilot took the lead, and when -the sun showed up to begin its circle up above, the cook had already -moved his kitchen some ten miles and the pots was beginning to feel the -heat of the fire underneath. - -Smoky was in another new country that day, and as he grazed with the -remuda he noticed the same workings of the day before, another big -herd was brought in from that morning's "circle," then one more that -afternoon, more cattle was cut out and then singed hair floated on the -breeze once more. - -Twice again he was corralled with the remuda for fresh horses the -riders was needing, and the little horse was slow beginning to get used -to the sound of the ropes and the sight of the strange cowboys. Clint -was to see him at the last coralling of the day and when the nighthawk -took the ponies out for the night Smoky nipped Pecos in the flanks. He -felt playful. - -Outside of the time he spent in the rope corral the little horse was -enjoying the following of the round up mighty well,--there was always -so many horses around, and all with the bellering of the big herds and -the dust that was kept up sure tallied up with the beat of his heart. -He hadn't figgered on what to expect being one of the remuda that way, -and being that he couldn't make out all that went on he didn't know -just what could be expected, and that's why maybe he wasn't worried -much. - -"Going to make a very big circle this morning, Jeff?" - -It was the morning of the third day that Clint asked the foreman that -question, and when Jeff answered he understood what was on Clint's -mind, he grinned at the cowboy as he spoke. - -"You go ahead and ride your Smoky horse, Clint, I'll put you on the -inside circle so as it won't be too hard on him." - -And that's how come when it was Smoky's turn to be rode that the -easiest was handed him. The horse spotted Clint coming towards him, a -rope was in his hands but no loop was dragging and he met the cowboy -halfways. - -Of the many ponies that makes up a "remuda" there's seldom any that can -be walked up to, even the gentlest has to be roped. They're broke that -way and it all saves time, for a cowboy can stand off thirty feet, rope -his horse and start leading him out from there. It saves him many steps -and when there's so many riders and horses, them steps and the time -it'd take to make 'em sure would accumulate. Then again there's so many -wild ponies that would _have_ to be roped anyway. So making the whole -thing simple, every horse is caught with a loop. No good roper ever -whirls a loop in catching horses, and the only sound that's heard is -when the rope splits from the ground to the pony's head. - -Once in a while, and even with real cow outfits that's well run, -there's exceptions in roping every horse that way. Smoky was the one -exception on the Rocking R, and every cowboy was good natured jealous -at the way that mouse colored son of a gun of a horse would stick his -head out every time Clint came around and then left his hiding place -from amongst the other horses to meet him. - -Smoky knowed that something was up soon as Clint came near him, but -whatever it was he was anxious to be at it;--him and that cowboy would -get along. - -The little horse humped up as he felt the cinch, and Clint grinned as -he remarked: - -"Going to make this old broke-down cowboy ride this morning, huh?" - -And Smoky did. He bogged his head soon as Clint was well set, and -bucked and bellered all over the flat like he was a man eating outlaw. -It was the right thing for a live horse to do them cold fall mornings, -and Clint was enjoying fanning the dust off Smoky's round rump the -same as that pony enjoyed the idea that he sure was giving somebody a -tossing. - -"Better save some of that," says Clint as he finally pulled Smoky's -head up, "cause you might need all the energy you got before you get -back." - -About twelve miles or so from camp a knoll was reached; from there Jeff -"scattered" his riders to circle and comb the country on the way back, -Clint and another rider was the last to be let go, and on the "inside" -brought with 'em all the cattle they found. Half ways back to camp, -Smoky begin to notice big dusts on both sides of him, them dusts kept -a getting closer and closer till pretty soon he begin to see that it -was more cattle making them dusts. Herds kept a being drove in with the -bunch Clint and the other rider had rounded up, and by the time camp -was reached, all the dusts had throwed in and made one. Twenty or more -riders and over a thousand head of cattle was turned to the cutting -grounds and held there a milling. - -Smoky was tired, he'd been breathing dust and turning bleary-eyed -critters till it seemed like there'd be no end. Besides it felt awful -hot on his back where the saddle was, and even tho Clint often got off, -uncinched the saddle and raised it so the cool air could circulate -thru, it wasn't long when his back, not used to long saddling, would -feel as hot as ever again. - -It was a great relief to the little horse when the saddle was pulled -off as they reached camp and the rope corral. Clint then led him to the -creek and washed the dry sweat off his back with the cool water, and as -that was done Smoky right away forgot the work of that first circle. -He felt a lot at ease with everything in general as Clint turned him -loose in the corral, and a while later when fresh horses was caught -and ropes begin sailing again, Smoky wasn't for hunting a hole like -the times before, he felt that he'd done his.--Pecos was snared while -standing a few feet from him, and then the ponies was turned loose. -But there Smoky lagged behind a little; he'd spotted Clint who was -saddling another horse, and he stood in his tracks, watching, and maybe -wondering. Then the wrangler came, and Smoky followed the remuda up the -draw. - -Plenty of grass, under, and all around him, and chance to stand still -was for the first time appreciated by the mouse colored gelding. -He'd had a taste of real work, the first taste, and with it had come -the feeling that he wasn't no half broke bronc no more. He was even -beginning to look at the critter with a knowing eye and something was -sprouting up in him which left no doubt but what _he_ was the boy that -could handle 'er. - -He never figgered on how much there was to learn in the ways of -handling that split-hoofed range animal,--he'd had no way to know as -yet, and as it was he grazed feeling sure that he knowed a lot about -'em. He felt equal to the old saddle marked cowhorses that was in the -same remuda and he wouldn't have nothing to do with the raw broncs that -was mixed in. But there that high opinion of himself was stopped, for -the old cowhorses wouldn't let him associate with 'em and as they'd -chase him away, he failed to notice that they felt the same about him -as he did about the uneddicated raw broncs. - -But then, credit had to be handed to the little horse on account that -even tho he still had a powerful lot to learn, he sure was all for -learning, and the pride he'd naturally took in the game along with the -coaching of such a cowboy as Clint all promised that he'd sure get -there. - -Smoky watched every herd that came in, followed the wagon on its -everyday move, and was even getting used to them ropes that sung over -his head three or four times a day. Of course Clint was always on hand -at each corralling to kind of help him get used to all the commotion, -and came a time when the little horse knowed exactly where and which -side of the corral that cowboy would be. His saddle was always on the -ground a few feet on the outside, and every horse he caught to ride -would always be led or "snaked" to that same spot, and Smoky got so -that whenever he was corralled he'd make a rush for that one spot where -he could easy reach Clint's shirt whenever the attention of that cowboy -was needed. - -Each rider on the outfit was furnished on the average of ten horses; -there was anyway three changes of horses every day which made it that -every horse was rode from four to six hours every third day, and that's -how Smoky's turn came. Clint rode him out on "circle" three times, and -till the little horse got pretty well onto the hazing of the critter, -and then that pony was of a sudden promoted to the "day-herd" class. Of -course Smoky was somewhat of a privileged character or he wouldn't made -that so soon, but the way he took holt of the bit and went to work he -sure didn't disappoint Clint any. - -The promotion started when that cowboy thought of trying him out one -day as a big herd was brought in to work. He'd changed his tired -"circle" horse to Smoky, and after that pony had his buck out he lined -him out to a standstill close to the milling critters. It was Clint's -and Smoky's job to see that none broke away outside of what was cut out -to be held for the "main herd." A dozen other riders was on the same -job and most all riding well reined cowhorses, and as Smoky noticed the -kind of company he was keeping, a ticklish feeling came between his -ears and a spark showed in his eyes. - -He was about at the height of his glory and hardly able to stay on -earth, when, quick as the eye could see, a big raw-boned steer broke -out, and wild-eyed dodged past the riders and hightailed it out for -open country. In the trance Smoky was in he hardly seen anything of the -critter but a flash, but as the earth had no strings on him either just -then it only took a feel of the rein for him to be up and a flying. -That flash that went past him a second before was recognized as an -earthly critter soon as Smoky set eyes on 'er, and soon as he got the -hunch that that critter needed turning the distance between was et up -the same as tho that horse had been starving for such. - -There was a mighty satisfied smile on Clint's face as the steer was -shot back in the herd the same way he'd come out, and as for Smoky, -there sure was nothing about him that suggested "the end of the trail." -He was brought to a mighty proud standstill by the herd again, and no -critter broke out that he wasn't right on the tail of from the start, -unless it was in some other rider's territory. - -Working the herds that was drove to the cutting grounds, and holding -the day herd, was from then on Smoky's work. He liked working the herds -best on account there was more to do, but then day herding wasn't so -bad either, Clint always seen that his rope was kept well stretched, -and soon as he knowed the foreman was gone on circle with the other -riders he could easy find some critter he had a grudge against and pile -his rope onto, and Smoky sure enjoyed turning 'em over. - -All the boys, excepting the "reps" from other outfits, had one half a -day of day herding every three days. Smoky's time to be rode came on -the dot of that time, but Clint didn't always take him out on that, and -often he'd switch so that the little horse would get plenty of work -cutting out or bringing big calves and "slicks" to the branding fire, -and that pony was sure beginning to shine there. - -Once in a while tho Clint would get sort of selfish and want Smoky's -company on that long half a day's herding, and it was during them -spells that the two got to be more understanding, if that's possible, -to one another. Neither was so rushed for work then, and there was -times when the big herd of beef steers and cows and weaners would want -to graze and not try to drift away or scatter. At them times Clint -would rein Smoky up a knoll, and where both could see the whole of the -herd, he'd get out of his saddle and stretch out in the shade Smoky -made and take it easy, and there, with one eye on the cowboy the other -on the herd, and swishing flies, Smoky would stand. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - FIGHTS FOR RIGHTS - - -The fine, cool, and sunshiny days of fall was making a last -stand,--rains begin to come, and as time was a crawling towards early -winter, them rains got colder and then turned to a wet snow. Mud was -where dust had been, the hard-twist throw ropes had turned stiff as -steel cables, saddles and saddle blankets was wet, heavy, and cold, and -the shivering ponies met the feel of them with a hump and a buck. - -The cowboys, all a packing long, yellow slickers, was beginning to -tally up on how much wages would be due 'em. As the end of the fall -round up drawed near, and as they waded thru slush and mud from the -chuck wagon to the rope corral, not many was caring. Wet socks, damp -beds, two hours of shivering on night guard, saddling ornery ponies in -daytime and when a feller can't even get a footing, and then riding -'em a wondering if them ponies will stand up as they beller and buck -on the slick and muddy ground, all left a hankering only for a warm -dugout somewheres, where there's a stove, a bunk to set on, and a few -magazines to read as mother nature does her best to make the outside -miserable. - -The last of the beef herd had been turned over to another "wagon" of -the Rocking R and shipped, and Jeff's main herd was from then on made -up of cows with big weaner calves, and all stock that'd need feeding -thru the winter. - -"A couple of weeks more now and we'll be seeing the gates of the home -ranch," says Jeff one day, but it was a long three weeks before the -stock was tended to and when camp was made for the last time. The wet -snow had got flaky and dry by then and six inches of it was covering -the ground. - -"Now hold on a minute, Smoky, and give a feller a chance, wont you?" - -It was Clint a talking, and trying to hold Smoky down till he got his -foot in the stirrup. The cowboy being all bundled up couldn't handle -himself as he'd like to, the little horse was cold, crusted snow had -to be rubbed off his back before the saddle could be put on and he was -aching to put his head down and go to bucking so he could warm up. - -Clint was only half ways in the saddle when that pony lit into it, but -the cowboy didn't mind that, his blood was also a long ways from the -boiling point and any excuse to get circulating good was welcome. - -Around and around him and Smoky went and all in one spot, all the fancy -twists of a bucking pony was gone over and the rider met him all the -way, and as Clint rode and fanned and laughed, he'd get fast glimpses -of other riders and other horses a tearing up the white landscape and -getting down to the earth underneath. - -It was the last day of the round up, all the work was done, the cook -climbed on his seat, grabbed the lines the boys handed him, and -letting out a war whoop scared his already spooky team into a long lope -towards the home ranch. - - * * * * * - -The sight of the big gates was a mighty fine one to all as the outfit -clattered in, specially with the sky a threatening the way it was, the -old cow horses had their ears pointed towards the big pole corrals. -They knowed what the sight of them meant at that time of the year and -none tried to break away as the wrangler run 'em in. They was turned -out in a big pasture that night, and the next day a couple of riders -came, bunched 'em up, and took 'em thru another gate leading out of the -ranch. - -Clint had took it onto hisself to be one of them riders,--he wanted to -get another look at Smoky before letting him go to the winter range -and find out for sure just what condition that range would be in. The -outskirts of it was reached that noon and as Clint rode along back of -the remuda he was more than satisfied to notice the tall feed that the -six inches of snow couldn't hide, he noticed the breaks and the shelter -they would give, then the thick growth of willows along the creek -bottom and which meant more shelter. - -Clint stopped his horse and the two hundred ponies was left to scatter. -His eyes run over the well known backs for a last time, he wouldn't -be seeing them again till spring round up started and he watched 'em -slowly graze away. Many was in that bunch that he'd broke and named, -and starting from the meanest fighting bronc of the rough string, -and taking all the ponies on up to the best cowhorse of the foreman's -string there wasn't one that Clint didn't know and know mighty well as -to tricks and good or bad points. - -A big old sorrel with a kinked neck and by the name of Boar Hound -caught his eye, and Clint remembered how that pony tried to commit -suicide rather than be rode and how he'd now changed to wanting to -commit murder instead and kill a few cowboys. Then a smile spread -over his face as he spotted a tall roman nosed gruller who'd never -made a jump till a rope got under his tail. He'd took a sudden liking -to bucking from then on and made hisself a reputation at that which -scattered over four counties. - -Every horse Clint looked at brought to memory some kind of a story, and -there was a variety of expressions which changed with every horse that -came under his eye. A big shaggy black looked his way and snorted and -with the sight of him Clint remembered how that horse had reached ahead -one time and kicked to pieces a cowboy that'd been unsaddling him. - -His expression was mighty solemn at the thought of that, but it didn't -last long. Like a ray of sunshine, something shot out and scattered -that dark cloud of memories four ways,--Smoky had showed himself from -behind other horses and not over fifty feet from where Clint was -setting on his horse. - -The cowboy's face lit up with a smile at the sight of the pony, and -getting down off his saddle he made tracks his way, but he didn't have -to go all the way, for soon as Smoky spotted him he left Pecos, his -running pardner behind, and nickering came to meet Clint. - -"A feller would think to see you act that you're a sure enough sugar -eater," Clint remarked as the little horse came up to him and stopped. -He rubbed a hand on the pony's head and went on. - -"Well, anyway, Smoky, I'm glad to see that you've got a mighty fine -winter range to run on; with all the feed I see here and the shelter -that's with it you hadn't ought to lose an ounce of fat," Clint felt -for the pony's ribs and grinning resumed, "and if you ever get any -fatter than you are now you'll be plum worthless." - -Smoky followed Clint as he turned and went to where he'd left his -horse, "I wonder," says that cowboy, "if you've got the hunch that you -wont be seeing me no more till next spring?--that's a long time aint -it? but never mind old horse, I'm the first cowboy you're going to see -when spring does break up." - -Clint was about to get on his horse and ride away, but he stopped, and -felt of Smoky's hide once more. - -[Illustration: Clint was about to get on his horse and ride away, but -he stopped, and felt of Smoky's hide once more.] - -"Well, so long, Smoky, take care of yourself and don't let anything -drag you down." - -Smoky watched him ride away and nickered once as the cowboy went over -the point of a ridge and disappeared. He watched a long time even after -that and till he was sure Clint was gone, and finally turning went to -grazing back till he was by the side of Pecos again. - - * * * * * - -The winter came and hit the range with the average amount of snow, -freeze ups, and cold winds. The cayotes howled the hunger they felt, -for there was no weak stock to speak of for them to feed off of, and -outside of small varmints they could get once in a while, pickings was -mighty poor. Horses and cattle was and stayed in fine shape and the -stockman could hit his bed after the long day's ride knowing that he -could go to sleep right off and not lay awake a wondering what he could -do to pull his stock thru. - -Smoky met all what the weather had to hand him, with a good layer of -fat, a thick skin, and a long coat of hair. He lost a few ounces but -he could of spared many pounds and felt as good, feed was aplenty and -the little pawing that had to be done to reach it was like so much -exercise and only kept his blood in good circulating order. - -[Illustration: Feed was aplenty and the little pawing that had to be -done to reach it was like so much exercise and only kept his blood in -good circulating order.] - -The winter months wore on, the ponies drifted from ridge to ridge, from -shelter to shelter and nothing much came to disturb the quiet of the -land, nothing much excepting when a big shaggy black tried to throw -in with Pecos, the same black that'd kicked the cowboy over the Great -Divide. But his interfering and butting in was welcome tho in a way, -Smoky and Pecos had so much good energy going to waste that they'd been -just aching for some excuse to use some of it for some good. - -It came about that the big black had took a liking to Pecos, and at -the same time a dislike for Smoky. Pecos was neutral for a while and -wondered what the black was up to when he tried to chase Smoky away -from him. Smoky wouldn't chase worth a nickel but he was getting -skinned up considerable a trying to hold his ground. Things went on -that way for a day or so and every once in a while the black made a -dive for Smoky like he was going to tear him to pieces,--his intentions -was good, but Smoky sure was no invalid. When the snow settled again -where he'd held his ground the little horse hadn't give away one inch. - -But the black was twice as old as Smoky, more up to the game of -fighting, and heavier by a hundred pounds. All that begin to tell on -the mouse colored hide, and there might of come a time when Smoky would -of had to high-tail it, only, as the scraps was repeated off and on, -Pecos begin to notice and realize that that black was taking too much -territory, and he didn't like him nohow. - -So, that's how come, that when the black put down his ears and made -another grand tearing rush for Smoky that something struck him from -the off side and upset him and his plans of attack all to pieces,--he -found hisself jerked off his feet and rolled plum over the top of Smoky -and he lit head first on the other side. When he picked himself up out -of the snow his Spirits was dampened some in wonder, and more so when -he shook his head and was able to see and noticed that there was _two_ -mighty vicious looking ponies a waiting for him to come again. He shook -his head once more at that, and as Smoky and Pecos bowed their necks -and came his way the black turned tail and started a looking for other -company and which would appreciate him more. - -[Illustration: The black was jerked off his feet, rolled plum over, and -he lit head first on the other side.] - -But whether it was orneriness or just plain thick headedness the black -tried to butt in again the next day, maybe he just wasn't convinced, -anyway, Pecos noticed him first and before the black could even get -to Smoky. War was started right there, but Pecos was no match for the -black and even tho he wasn't for quitting, the worst of the battle -was on his side. It was about when the crusted snow was flying the -thickest that Smoky, who'd been off a ways, noticed the commotion. He -seen his pardner down on his knees and the black a chewing away on him, -and right about then the standing Smoky was transformed into a eleven -hundred pound bombshell. The explosion came as he connected with the -black and then black fur begin to fly and soar up above.--Somehow or -other the black managed to gather enough of his scattered senses to -know what had happened; them senses told him to act, and act quick, -and he did. He tore himself away from the pressing, tearing mixture -of flying hoofs and sharp teeth and split the breeze making far apart -tracks to where horseflesh wasn't so thick. - -The next day he was seen with Boar Hound, the kinked necked sorrel, -the roman-nosed gruller, and a few more ornery ponies of the "rough -string." A company bunch more fitting to his kind. - - * * * * * - -The days was getting longer and warmer, the snow begin packing and -melting some, and pretty soon bare patches of ground showed in plain -sight. Smoky and Pecos' hides begin a itching and the two was often -busy a scratching one another and starting from the neck went to the -withers along the backbone to the rump and back again. Big bunches of -long winter hair begin a slipping and falling to the ground as they -scratched, and came a time when as they rolled, more of that hair was -left till finally patches of short slick satin like hair begin to show. - -[Illustration: Smoky and Pecos' hides begin a itching and the two was -often busy scratching one another.] - -Then green and tender grass begin to loom up and plentiful, and that -finished the work of ridding the ponies' hides of all the long hair -that was left. Creeks was swelling from the waters of the fast melting -snows, spring had come and the sunshine and warm winds that came with -it was doing its work. - -The round up cook was once again scrubbing on the chuck box that -was on the end of the long wagon, and the cowboys, one by one begin -a drifting in from parts near and far anxious to be starting on the -spring works again. Some came from the different cow camps of the -Rocking R range, a few of the riders that'd been let go when work was -done the fall before never showed up, but others rode in and after a -few words with Jeff took the places of them that was missing. - -Clint had wintered at one of the outfit's camps and drawed his wages -regular, and when the range land begin to get bare of snow and the -watching out for weak stock was no more necessary he put his bed on one -horse, his saddle on another and headed for the home ranch. He was one -of the first riders to reach that place, and when the horse round up -started he was one of the first to have his horse saddled, topped off, -and lined out to sashay in all of the ponies that could be found on the -horse range. - -Smoky had been feeding on the sunny side of a butte, and for no reason -other than to be looking around he raised his head, only his ears and -eyes showed as he looked over the top of that butte; but that was -enough for him to see a rider coming his direction, and see him before -that rider ever had a hunch any horses was around anywheres near. - -Smoky snorted and hightailed it down the side of the butte to where -Pecos and a few other ponies had also been feeding, and the way he -acted left no doubt in their minds but what they should be on the move. -They all was at full speed the minute he landed amongst 'em, and when -the rider topped the butte where they'd been a few minutes before, -they had the lead on him by near a mile. - -But the ponies wasn't wanting to get away near as much as might of -been thought. It was only that Smoky had got spooked up at the sudden -sight of the rider, and him and all the others feeling good as they -did wasn't needing much excuse. The cowboy fogged down on 'em and a -little to one side so as to turn 'em, they turned easy enough even tho -the rider was a long ways behind, and making a big circle that rider -finally had 'em headed towards the big corrals of the home ranch. - -A big grin spread over the cowboy's features as the sun shined on the -slick back of the mouse colored horse at the lead of the bunch, and -even tho there was a half a mile between him and that horse, _that -cowboy_ knowed daggone well it was _him_, for the sun never reflected -on no other horse's hide as well as it did on Smoky's, and besides, -there was no mistaking the good feeling action of that pony's. - -"Told you I'd be the first to see you when spring broke up," says the -cowboy as he held his horse down to a lope. - -The twenty-five mile run from the time Smoky had been spotted kinda -filled the bill far as running was concerned, and when the long wings -of the pole corrals at the home ranch was reached the rider was right -on the ponies' tails and on the job to keep 'em going straight ahead -into the corral;--then the big gate closed in on 'em. - -"Guess you don't know me no more," says Clint to Smoky as he stood -afoot in the corral and watched the pony tear around;--then to hisself: - -"Maybe he don't know it's _me_ that's watching him." - -Clint was right, the long winter months of freedom without seeing one -human had kind of let him get back to his natural wild instinct, and -the first sight of Clint had been of just a human, and it'd spooked him -up till he'd have to calm down some before it'd come to him just _who_ -that human was. - -The cowboy spoke to him as Smoky, wild eyed, snorted and hunted for a -hole, but Clint kept a speaking, and as the pony tore around and heard -the voice, something gradually came to him that seemed far away and -near forgot. He stopped a couple of times to look at the cowboy, and -each time his getting away was less rushing, till, as the voice kept a -being heard, things got clearer and clearer in that pony's brain. - -Smoky had stopped once more, and neck bowed, ears straight ahead, and -eyes a sparkling, faced acrost the corral to where the cowboy, still -and standing, was talking to him. - -"Daggone your little hide," says Clint, "are we going to have to get -acquainted all over again?--come on over here and let me run my hand -over that knowledge bump of yours, and maybe I can get your think tank -to functioning right again." - -Smoky didn't come, but he held his ground and listened to the talk. -Clint talked on and watched him till the horse lost some of his wild -look and then slow and easy started walking his way. Something and away -in the past seemed to hold Smoky as the cowboy slowly came nearer and -nearer. His instinct was all for him a leaving the spot he was holding, -but that something which stuck in his memory was the stronger and sort -of kept him there. - -Clint came on a few steps at the time, and then stopped, and talking -the while, took his time till he was within a few feet of Smoky. A -little flaw of any kind right then in that human's actions could of -spoilt things easy and sent the pony a skeedaddling away from there in -a hurry, but Clint knowed horses and specially Smoky too well to do -anything of the kind. He knowed just what was going on between that -pony's ears, and how to agree with all that mixed in there. - -Finally, Clint got to where by reaching out he could near of touched -Smoky. Slow and easy the cowboy raised a hand and held it to within -a few inches of the pony's nose, Smoky looked at it and snorted, but -pretty soon he stretched his neck and mighty careful took a sniff of -the human paw. He snorted again and jerked his head away from it, but -it wasn't long when he took another sniff, then another and another, -and each time the snort growed less to be heard, till at last, Smoky -even allowed that paw to touch his nostrils, the fingers rubbed there -easy for a spell and gradually went on a rubbing along his nose -along on up to between his eyes and pretty soon between his ears to -that knowledge bump. Five minutes afterwards Smoky was following the -grinning cowboy all around the corral. - -[Illustration: Slow and easy Clint raised a hand and held it to within -a few inches of his nose. Smoky stretched his neck, sniffed at it, and -snorted.] - - * * * * * - -The round up wagons, all cleaned and loaded, was ready to pull out, -the remuda was all accounted for and each string pointed out to each -rider, and Jeff giving the whole outfit another look over waved a hand, -the pilot reined his horse into a bucking start, all took up his lead -and thru the big gates of the home ranch, wagons, riders, remuda, and -all lined out. The spring round up had started. - -Smoky broke the record for learning that year, and when the fall round -up was over and the saddle was pulled off him for the last time before -being turned out on the winter range, there was two little white spots -of white hair showed on each side of his withers and about the size of -a dollar,--saddle marks they was, and like medals for the good work -he'd done. There was a knowing spark in his eyes for the critter too, -for the little horse had got to savvy the cow near as well as the old -cowhorses that'd been in the same remuda that year. - -There was only one thing that could of been held against the good -record of that pony, and that was his bucking;--he just had to have -his little buck out every morning, and sometimes he bucked harder than -other times--that all depended on how cold the weather was--but Clint -didn't seem to mind that at all. If anything he tried to preserve that -bucking streak in the pony, and he was often heard to remark: - -"A horse aint worth much unless that shows up some." - -But Clint had other reasons for keeping the "buck" in Smoky's -backbone.--Old Tom Jarvis, superintendent and part owner of the Rocking -R had joined the wagon for a few days that summer and wanted to see -his cowboys work his cattle for a spell. Him being an old cowman and -from away back before cattle wore short horns made all the working of -a herd all the more interesting and to be criticized one way or the -other. He was present steady on the cutting grounds, and so was Smoky -one day. - -Clint felt that the eyes of Old Tom was on Smoky the minute he rode him -to the edge of the herd, and an uneasy feeling crawled up his backbone -as he noticed that that Old Grizzly seemed to've lost his eyesight for -anything else but his Smoky horse. Clint knowed Old Tom's failing for -a good horse, and he'd heard of how many a time that same failing had -come near putting the cowman in jail for appropriating some horse he -couldn't buy;--of course them times was past, but the failing was still -in the old man's chest, and _Smoky belonged to him_. - -The cowboy had started Smoky to cutting out, a work where all the good -points of a cowhorse have a chance to show up, and Smoky sure wasn't -hiding any. Old Tom's eyes was near popping out of his head as he -watched the mouse colored gelding work, and finally, as Clint noticed -all the interest, he figgered it a good idea to get out of the herd and -hide Smoky somewheres before the old cowman came to him and suggested -swapping horses; the cowboy was afraid he'd already showed too much of -that horse, and as he come out of the herd he made a circle and took -his stand away on the opposite side from where Old Tom was holding. - -But Old Tom was controlling owner of that outfit and he could be any -place he wanted to on that range any time. A steer broke out, Old -Tom took after him, circled him around the herd, and when he put him -back in and brought his horse to a standstill, there was only a short -distance between him and the horse he'd had his eye on. - -Clint was scared and he cussed a little. He tried to keep Smoky down -whenever a critter broke out that needed turning, and even tried to let -a couple of 'em get away, but he couldn't do it without making it too -plain to see, and besides, Smoky had ideas of his own about handling -them critters. - -The cowboy was worried all the rest of the day and lost some sleep that -night a wondering how he was going to dodge Old Tom. He knowed the old -cowman would be around with some proposition to swap him out of Smoky, -and that was one of the last things the cowboy would do. There wasn't a -horse in the outfit or anywheres else he'd trade Smoky for. - -It's took for granted on any real cow outfit that whenever a horse is -swapped or borrowed out of a cowboy's string and handed to somebody -else, that that cowboy is requested to quit or be fired, in other words -it's an insult that makes any real cowboy want to scrap and then ask -for his wages. - -Clint was a valuable man to the outfit, but with Old Tom one cowboy -more or less didn't matter, that is if that cowboy stood between him -and a horse he wanted. He walked up to Clint the next day and not -hesitating any he says: - -"I'm going to try that mouse colored horse you was riding yesterday;" -and thinking it'd please Clint to hear, he went on, "and if I like him -I'll trade you my brown horse Chico for him; he's the best horse I got -at the home ranch." - -But all that only made Clint get red in the face, and fire showed in -his eyes as he spoke. - -"Huh! you can't ride Smoky." - -"Why in samhill cant I?" asks Old Tom, also getting red in the face. - -"Cause you can't," answers Clint, "why you couldn't even put a saddle -on him." - -Clint was for quitting the outfit right there and hit for some other -country, but the thought of leaving Smoky behind kinda put him to -figgering another way out;--if he could get Old Tom sort of peeved and -let him handle Smoky while he was feeling that way, most likely that -pony would do the rest. - -"I'll show you whether I can saddle that horse or not," says Old Tom, -frothing at the mouth; "why I've handled and rode broncs that you -couldn't get in the same corral with, and before you even was born." - -"Yep," says Clint, grinning sarcastic, "that was too long ago, and -you're too daggoned old now for that kind of a horse." - -Old Tom glared at Clint for a second, and not finding no ready come -back done the next best thing and got busy. He went to his saddle, -jerked his rope off it, and spitting fire, shook out a loop that could -be heard a whistling plum to the other side of the corral. - -Smoky was surprised into a dozen catfits as that same wicked loop -settled over his head and drawed tight and sudden around his neck. He -bellered and bucked thru the remuda a dragging Old Tom with him. The -old cowman made a motion and two grinning cowboys went and helped him. - -Clint stood on the outside and watched the performance. He rolled -cigarette after cigarette and tore 'em up fast as they was made, not -a one was lit. He seen Smoky brought to a choking standstill and -that cowboy felt like committing murder as he noticed the fear in -that pony's eyes as he faced the strangers; but there Clint noticed -something else and which he gradually recognized as _fight_,--there was -more fight than fear, and at the sight of that the cowboy took hope. - -"Since when does a cowboy get help to rope and saddle his horse," he -hollered as Old Tom was sizing up Smoky. "Pretty soon you'll be wanting -one of us to top him off for you." - -It worked just right, and Old Tom's answer was only a jerk on the rope -that held Smoky. The old cowman knowed better than to handle a horse -that way and as a rule was always easy with 'em, but he was mad, mad -clear thru, and rather than shoot a cowboy he was taking it out on the -horse. - -And Smoky by that time was fast catching up with the spirit of all that -went on. He was like a raw bronc that'd never seen a human or a saddle, -and when he was finally brought up alongside the saddle, there was all -about him to show he wasn't safe for anybody coming near. But Old Tom, -even tho it was a long time ago, had handled many mean horses;--he -knowed he was past handling 'em any more, but this time was different -and he'd do his best to carry it thru. - -The two riders that'd been helping him was waved away; he'd show Clint -and the rest of the young fellers that he could still do it. He then -spread a loop and caught both of Smoky's threatening front feet; Smoky -knowed better than to fight a rope and he stood still knowing he'd soon -have another chance. Rawhide hobbles was fastened on his front legs, a -bridle put on his head, and then the saddle was reached for and put on -his back and cinched to stay. - -"Better say your prayers before you climb up," says Clint, still -prodding Old Tom, at the same time hoping that he would stop before he -went too far. But there was no stopping him, he pulled up his chap' -belt, set his hat down tight, and still mad enough to bite a nail -in two, loosened the hobbles, grabbed a short holt on the reins and -climbed on. - -Smoky looked back at the stranger that was a setting on him, and soon -as a touch of the rein on his neck told him that all was set, things -started a happening from there. He bowed his head, made two jumps, and -was just getting started good when he felt the saddle was empty;--he -made a few more jumps just for good measure, and then stopped. - -[Illustration: Old Tom didn't even get well set that time, Smoky bowed -his head and went out from under him leaving him come down on the other -side.] - -Clint was grinning from ear to ear as he walked up to Smoky and put his -hand on his neck. - -"Good work, old boy," he says,--and then turning to Old Tom, who was -picking himself up: "Want to try him again?" - -"You bet your doggone life I do," says that old cowboy. - -"All right," answers Clint, getting peeved some more. "Go ahead and -break your fool neck, there's plenty of buffalo wallows around here we -can bury you in." - -Old Tom walked over and jerked the reins out of Clint's hands and -started to get in the saddle again, but he didn't even get well in it -that time,--Smoky bowed his head and went out from under him leaving -Old Tom come down on the other side. - -It was as the old man was about to try Smoky once more when Jeff Nicks -interfered, and told his boss how he'd rather not have him try that -horse any more. - -"That horse bucks every time he's rode," says Jeff. - -Old Tom knowed he'd come to the end of his string but that didn't ease -his feelings any, and he was looking for some way of letting some -of them feelings out before they choked him. When he spots Clint a -standing to one side and by Smoky. - -"You're fired," he hollered, pointing a finger at him, "I'll get -somebody to take the buck out of that horse, and the sooner you're off -this range the better I'll like it." - -Clint just grinned at Old Tom, which made him all the madder, and about -then Jeff spoke: - -"I'm doing the hiring and firing on this outfit, Tom, and as long as -I'm working for you I'll keep on a doing it." - -Old Tom turned on him like a wild cat. "Fine!" he hollered, "you can go -too." - -The old cowman had went as far as he could, and as he walked away to -catch himself another saddle horse, he had a hunch that he'd also went -further than he should; that hunch got stronger as he went on saddling, -and as he gave the latigo a last yank, it all developed into plain -common sense that he'd sure enough went too far. - -But Old Tom wasn't for giving in, not right then anyway. He got on his -horse and riding close enough so Jeff could hear, says: - -"You and Clint can come to the ranch and I'll have your time ready for -you," and then to another rider,--"you handle the outfit till I send -out another foreman." - -A lot of orneriness was scattered to the winds as Old Tom covered the -long fifty miles back to the ranch, and as he opened the big gate -leading in, a brand new feeling had come over him,--he was for catching -a fresh horse the next morning early and high-tail it back to the wagon -to sort of smooth things over best as he could. - -He unsaddled and turned his horse loose, and was mighty surprised as -he came up to the big ranch house to find both Jeff and Clint already -there and waiting for him. Not a hint of the good resolutions he'd made -showed as he walked up to 'em, and after some kind of a "howdy," Old -Tom heard Jeff say: - -"All the boys sent word in by me, that as long as you're making out my -check you'd just as well make theirs out too. I'm sorry for that," went -on Jeff, "and I tried to talk 'em out of it, but it's no use, they're -all for quitting if I go." - -The old cowman never said a word as he led Jeff and Clint in the big -house. He walked to a big table in the center of the living room and -there he turned on his two riders. A smile was on his face and he says: - -"Daggone it, Jeff, I'm glad to hear that." Then Old Tom, still -pleasant, but serious, went on, "for no man does his best work unless -he's doing it with somebody he likes and has confidence in. Yes," he -repeated, "I'm glad to hear that, but the question is now, you're fired -and free to go, aint you?" he asks. - -"Yes," says Jeff, "soon as I get paid off." - -"Well, how's chances of hiring you over again? I can't afford to let a -foreman like you go, Jeff." - -Jeff seemed to figger a while and then looked at Clint, and Old Tom -guessing what was on his foreman's mind, went on "and of course, being -that I have no say in the hiring and firing of your riders, Clint -wasn't fired at all, and he can keep on riding for you." - -Finally hands was shook all around, and as Jeff and Clint started back -for the wagon the next morning Old Tom was on hand to see 'em go. - -"And don't worry about that daggone mouse colored horse of yours, -Clint," he says as him and Jeff rode away, "I'll never want him." - -The riders reached the big gate leading out of the ranch, and there -Jeff remarked as he got off his horse to open it: - -"I guess Old Tom didn't have to say that he was sorry." - -And Clint more than agreed. - - - - - CHAPTER X - - "AMONGST THE MISSING" - - -The remuda was in the big corrals of the home ranch once more, and -after a few "winter" horses was cut out, the rest was hazed towards the -winter range, and let go.--Four long winter months went by.--Then one -day the round up cook begin to get busy cleaning the chuck box, meadow -larks was a tuning up on the high corral posts, and along with the bare -patches of ground that could be seen, no better signs was needed that -spring had come. - -Clint was again the first to spot Smoky that spring and notice the -amount of tallow that pony was packing, he was in fine shape for -whatever work that'd be his to do that summer, and soon as him and the -cowboy got thru with their first "howdys" they both went to work like -they never had before. - -Smoky took up to where he'd left off the fall before and kept on -accumulating science in ways of handling the critter till that critter -would just roll up an eye at the sight of the mouse colored pony and -never argue as to where he wanted to put 'er;--she'd just go there. - -Spring work went on, middle summer came, and sometime after, the fall -round up was in full swing again. Thousands of cattle was handled, cut -out, and culled. Big herds of fat steers was trailed in to the shipping -point and loaded in the cars, and when the weaning was done and the -old stock was all brought in close to the cow camps, Jeff headed his -wagon towards the home ranch once more. The work was over, the remuda -was turned out and the riders that was kept on the payroll saddled -their winter horses and scattered out for the outfit's different camps. - -Winter came on and set in, then spring bloomed out green once again, -and with it the cowboys spread out on the range once more. Season -after season followed one another without a ruffle that way, the same -territory was covered at the same time of the year, the wagon rolled -in at the same grounds, and the rope corral stretched at the same -spot, old riders disappeared and new ones took their place, like with -the ponies; the old cowhorses was pensioned, replaced by younger ones -and the work went on, season after season, year after year, the same -outfit rambled out of the home ranch and combed the range like as if no -changes was taking place. - -Jeff, the cow boss, the round up cook, Clint, and a couple more riders -was all that was left of the old hands as the wagon pulled out one -spring;--the others'd had cravings for new countries and went and -throwed their soogans on some other outfit's wagons. - -Five years had went by since that day when Clint, riding Smoky, had -joined the wagon, five summers was put in when every time Smoky was -saddled and rode Clint was the cowboy that done it, not another hand -had touched Smoky's hide in that time, excepting when Old Tom had -_tried_ to appropriate the horse for his own string, and since that day -there hadn't been any excuse for Clint to worry about anybody taking -Smoky away from him. There wasn't a cowboy in the outfit who didn't -more than want the horse, and if Clint ever failed to show up when the -spring works started there'd most likely been some argument as to who -should get him; but he'd always been the first to ride in at the home -ranch at them times and none had the chance to lay claim on the horse. - -In them long summers, and as Smoky was rode off and on, the little -horse had got to know Clint as well as that cowboy knowed hisself; he -knowed just when Clint was a little under the weather and not feeling -good,--at them times he'd go kinda easy with his bucking as the cowboy -topped him off. The feel of Clint's hand was plain reading to him, -and he could tell by a light touch of it whether it meant "go get -'er," "easy now," "good work," and so on. The tone of his voice was -also mighty easy to understand. He could tell a lot of things by it, -specially when he was being got after for doing something he shouldn't -of done. His eyes was wide open at them times, his neck bowed, and he'd -snort sorta low, but when Clint would tell him what a fine horse he -was, Smoky was some different,--he'd just take it all in the same as he -would warm sunshine in a cold fall day, and near close his eyes for the -peace he was feeling at the sound of the cowboy's voice. - -The way Smoky could understand the man who rode him thru and around the -big herds had a lot to do in making him the cowhorse he'd turned out to -be, his strong liking for the rider had made him take interest and for -learning all about whatever he was rode out to do. There'd come a time -when Smoky knowed the second Clint had a critter spotted to be cut out, -and the pony's instinct near told him which one it was, till nary a -feel of the rein was needed and the dodging critter was stepped on and -headed for the "cut." - -The same with roping and where Smoky could do near everything but throw -the rope that caught the critter. There he shined as he did anywhere -else under the saddle, he'd keep one ear back, watch out and follow the -loop leave Clint's hand and sail out to settle around a steer's horns, -and the slack was no more than pulled when that pony would turn and go -the other way,--he knowed how to "lay" the critter, and none of the big -ones ever got up, not while Smoky was at one end of the rope. - -Of the many happenings that all went to show of Smoky's knowing how -in handling the critter there's one Clint and the boys liked to tell -of. It was only an average of the others that happened, but there -was something about that one which made the telling easier as to the -wonders of that horse. It was the detail that counted there. - -There was a big steer in the herd with a crooked horn which had curved -and threatened to grow some more and right thru his eye. Clint and Jeff -spotted the steer at the same time, and while one of the boys went to -the wagon to get a saw to cut the horn off with, both Clint and Jeff -took their ropes down and proceeded to catch the critter. - -The steer was wild, big and husky, and wise, and soon as he seen the -two riders coming thru the herd headed his way, he broke out of it and -tail up in the air begin to leave the flat. About then is when Smoky -appeared on the scene. - -That little horse et up the distance between him and that steer in no -time and soon carried Clint to within reach. On account of the crooked -horn Clint had to rope the steer around the neck, and that he did neat -and quick. Everything went on as it should,--Smoky run on past the -steer and Clint throwed the slack of his rope over that same steer's -rump and in another second that critter would of been laying with toes -up to the sky and ready to tie. - -The unexpected happened about that time, and when the rope tightened -the steer didn't lay at all. Instead there was a sound of something -ripping. Clint went up in the air about three feet, turned a somerset -and hit the ground, the saddle stood up on end on Smoky's back and only -the flank cinch was holding it there. The stub latigo of the front -cinch had been ripped right thru by the tongue of the cinch buckle like -it'd been paper. - -Every rider around the herd seen the thing happen, and had already -figgered how it wouldn't take long for Smoky to get himself out from -under the remains of that saddle. For near every horse would go to -bucking and raising the dust when being pinched around the flanks that -way, and Smoky had seemed so inclined to want to buck that it was -thought he'd never overlook that chance. - -The boys was already grinning at such a good promise of seeing a -little excitement, but the grins soon faded to looks of wonder. For -Smoky, instead of trying to get shed of the saddle, showed he was using -his brain to the best way of _keeping it there_. He was a cowhorse -and working, and it was no time for foolishness, so, when the rigging -reared up on his hind quarters that way he reared up with it, and -turned while in the air. When his front feet touched the ground again -the saddle was where it belonged and he was facing the steer. - -When that story was told to the country around there was many -hard-to-be-convinced riders, who laughed and shook their heads and -remarked how it was pure luck that the pony acted that way, but if -they'd knowed Smoky, if they'd seen how he juggled that saddle and -worked to keep his holt on the steer there'd been a different tune. - -The steer had stayed up and with his ten hundred pounds of wild weight -had fought at the rope and hit the end mighty hard. Then Smoky done -another thing and which kept the boys a staring and doing nothing--The -steer was making another wild dash for open country, and Smoky, instead -of holding his ground and waiting for the steer to hit the end of the -rope broke out in a sudden run and right after the critter. When the -speed of both of 'em was up good and high Smoky of a sudden planted -himself till his hocks touched the ground, and when Mr. Steer hit -the end of the rope that time it was just as tho that rope had been -fastened to a four foot stump. His head was jerked under him, he turned -in the air, and when he came down _he layed_. - -"There was only one thing that horse didn't do," Jeff had remarked -afterwards,--"he didn't give the rope a flip before he set down on it." - -Smoky had kept the rope tight and Clint tied the steer down to stay -till the crooked horn was sawed off. When that was done Clint put up a -hand and spoke, and Smoky gave slack so the rope could be pulled off -the steer's head. - -Big herds of Mexico long-horned steers had been bought by the Rocking R -and shipped up into that northern country, they got fat on that range -and wilder than ever, and there's where Smoky showed he had something -else besides the knowing how. Them long-horned critters are too fast -for the average cowhorse to catch up with in a short distance, but not -with Smoky;--he had the speed to go with what he knowed, and Clint -would have time to whirl his rope only a few times when the little -horse would climb up on the long legged steer and pack the cowboy to -within roping distance. - -Many a cowboy had remarked that it was worth the price of a good show -to watch Smoky work, whether it was around, in or out of a herd, and -many a rider had let a cow sneak past him just so he could see how neat -that pony could outdodge a critter, and when after the last meal of the -day and the cowboys stretched out to rest some, talk, or sing, none -ever had any argument to put up and no betting was ever done against -whatever Clint said Smoky could do or had done. They all knowed and -admired the horse, and came a time as these cowboys came and went that -Smoky begin to be talked about in the cow camps of other cow outfits. -One whole northern State got to hear of him, and one cowboy wasn't at -all surprised when hitting South one fall and close to the Mexican -border to hear another cowboy talk of "Smoky of the Rocking R." - -[Illustration: Many a cowboy had remarked it was worth the price of a -good show to watch Smoky outdodge the critter.] - -The owner of a neighbor outfit sent word by one of his "reps"[1] one -day that he'd give a hundred dollars for that horse; Smoky had been -broke only two years then. Old Tom laughed at the offer, and Clint -got peeved. The next year that offer was raised by the same party to -two hundred, and Old Tom laughed again, but Clint didn't know whether -to get mad or scared this time. Anyway, things went on as usual for a -couple of years more, and then a big outfit from acrost the state line -sent in an offer of a cool four hundred dollars for the mouse colored -cowhorse. - -[Footnote 1: Riders representing other outfits.] - -Good saddle horses could be bought by the carload for fifty dollars -a head about that time, but there never was no set price on a good -cowhorse, and as a rule that kind can't be bought unless an outfit is -selling out. The biggest price that was ever heard offered in that -country for any cowhorse had never went over two hundred, and when -rumors spread around that four hundred had been offered for Smoky many -figgered that whoever offered it had a lot of money to spend;--but them -who figgered that way had never seen Smoky work. - -Ole Tom came up to Clint that fall after the wagon had pulled in and -showed him the letter offering the four hundred. Clint had heard about -the offer and he just stargazed at the letter, not reading;--instead -he was doing some tall wondering at what Old Tom was going to do about -it. He was still stargazing and sort of waiting for the blow to fall, -when he felt the old cowman's hand on his shoulder, and then heard him -say: - -"Well, Clint, I'll tell you"--then Old Tom waited a while, maybe just -to sort of aggravate the cowboy, but finally he went on,--"if my cattle -was starving, and I needed the money to buy feed to pull 'em thru with, -I might _sacrifice_ Smoky for four hundred, but as things are now -there's no money can buy that horse." - -The cowboy smiled, took a long breath, and grabbed the paw the old man -was holding for him to shake. - -"But I'm hoping," resumed Old Tom, "that some day soon you'll get to -hankering to drift to some other country and quit this outfit, so I can -get Smoky for myself; I'd fired you long ago, only I'd have to fire -Jeff too, and somehow I'd rather get along without the horse till one -of you highbinders quit." - -Clint had kept a smiling all the while the old man was speaking, then -he gave his hand another shake and walked away. He knowed Old Tom had -said that last just to hear how his voice sounded. - - * * * * * - -As usual, Smoky was turned out on the range along with the remuda for -that winter. Clint had helped haze 'em to the breaks as he'd always -done, and noticed as he stopped and let the ponies graze and scatter -that the feed was mighty short and scarcer than he'd ever seen it. The -whole summer had been mighty dry and the range short on grass, but -this little scope of country that was the saddle horse range had always -been good, and the ponies had always wintered there better than if -they'd been in a warm stable and fed grain. - -Clint thought some of taking Smoky back with him and keeping him up for -a winter horse, but then he'd have to turn him out when spring works -came on, and the cowboy didn't want to think of going out on spring -round up without his "top horse." - -"No," he decided, "I'm going to let you run out this winter, but I'll -be out to see how you're making it and don't loose too much tallow. -You're getting to be too valuable a horse to take any chances of -losing," he says to him as he scratched him back of the ear--"but," he -went on, "you're not half as valuable to the outfit as you are to me, -old pony, even tho Old Tom wont consider no price on you." - -Clint was on his way back and had no more than got sight of the -buildings of the ranch when Old White Winter hit him from behind and -made him clap his gloved hands over his ears. - -"Holy smoke," he whistled thru his chattering teeth, "she's sure -starting ferocious." - -And she had,--the first initiating blizzard of the season was more than -just a snowstorm with a wind, it was a full grown blizzard drifting -over the country, covering up the feed with packed snow, and freezing -things up. It kept up for two days and nights, and as it cleared up, -the thermometer went down. The next day Clint was busy bringing in -old stock closer to the ranch and where they could be watched, and -as another blizzard hit the country again a few days later that -cowboy was _kept_ on the jump bringing under the sheds and next to the -haystacks all the stock he'd hunted up. - -[Illustration: The next day Clint was busy bringing the weak stock -closer to the ranch.] - -Clint was in the saddle all day every day, and sometimes away into -the night. A month went by and in that time two feet of snow had -accumulated on the range;--more was threatening to come, and all the -cowboys that was kept on the Rocking R payroll more than had their -hands full. The ranch hands would roll up their eyes at every bunch -of stock the riders brought in to be fed, for as they figgered they -already had all they could handle, and if this kept up, Old Tom would -have to hire more hay shovelers and buy more hay. - -Clint had worried some about Smoky and figgered to hunt him up -sometime, but as on account of the deep snow he couldn't get his horse -out of a walk he never could make it. Besides there was always a bunch -of cattle somewheres on the way, and amongst 'em there'd be a few that -needed bringing in. - -But with all them drawbacks, Clint finally reached Smoky's range late -one day. The gray sky was getting darker, and night was coming on as -the cowboy topped a ridge and spotted a bunch of ponies, amongst the -bunch was a long-haired, shaggy-looking, and lean mouse-colored horse, -and Clint could hardly believe his eyes or keep from choking as he rode -closer and recognized his Smoky horse. - -The cowboy was for catching the horse right there and bring him in to -the ranch. He wondered if Smoky could travel that far, but as the horse -raised his head out of the hole in the snow where he'd been pawing for -feed, and spotted the rider coming towards him, Clint was surprised to -see so much strength and action. Smoky hadn't recognized the cowboy, -and before he'd took a second look, he'd hightailed it from there in a -hurry. - -Clint watched him and smiled as he seen that the horse wasn't in near -as bad a shape as he'd first thought. - -"But I'm going to take you in just the same, you little son of a gun, -for God knows what you'll be like in a few weeks from now if this -weather keeps up." - -He started on the trail Smoky and the other ponies had left, it was -good and dark by then, but the trail in the deep snow was easy enough -to follow. He wondered as he rode if he could get Smoky to stand long -enough so as the horse would recognize him under all the disguise -of his winter clothes, for at night specially he looked more like a -bear than anything; then again, horses are spookier and harder to get -near at that time, Clint had his doubts if he could catch him, and he -figgered he'd most likely have to take the whole bunch along in order -to get him to the ranch. - -He was riding along on the trail and trying to get sight of the ponies, -when to his left just a little ways, and out of the snow came a faint -beller; it sounded like a critter in trouble, and Clint stopped his -horse, the beller came again, and he rode towards the sound.--All -curled up, shivering, and near covered with snow, a little bitty calf -was found,--couldn't been over two days old, figgered the cowboy, and -he wondered how the poor little cuss could still be alive. - -"Where's your mammy, Johnny?" says Clint as he got off his horse and -came near the calf. - -But the words was no more out of his mouth when a dark shadow appeared, -and bellering, tried to get to the cowboy with her horns before he -could get on his horse. In making his getaway, Clint noticed tracks of -more cattle, and following 'em a ways, come acrost another cow and with -another calf, only this second calf was older and more able to navigate. - -"These two wall-eyed heifers must of been missed during last fall's -round up," Clint figgered, "and just as luck would have it they both -have winter calves. Well, Smoky," he says as he looked the direction -the ponies had went, "I guess that leaves you out, _this time_." - -It was near noon the next day when Clint showed up at the ranch packing -a little calf on the front of his saddle. He found Jeff by the big -sheds where the cattle was sheltered and fed, and told him: - -"I had to leave this little feller's mammy out about ten miles. There's -another cow and young calf with 'er, and maybe you better send a man -out after 'em before this storm that's coming catches up with 'em. Me, -I'm going to eat the whole hind leg off a beef and roll in between my -soogans." - -The storm Clint had spoke of came sure enough, and seemed like to want -to clean the earth of all that drawed a breath, the snow piled up and -up till, as the cowboy remarked, "the fence posts around the ranch are -only sticking up about an inch, and soon wont be visible no more." - -That storm would of meant the death of all the cattle that was on the -range, and most of the horses too, but as the tail of it came, a high -wind sprung up, the snow drifted and piled high in the coulees, and at -the same time took the depth of it down considerable wherever that wind -hit. When it all finally quit raging, there was many patches where the -grass was buried only by a few inches, and them patches the wind had -cleared was what saved the lives of the range stock that winter. - -Clint had worried about Smoky as the stormy weather came on; he'd -tried time and time again to get to him, but always some helpless -critter made him branch off and finally turn back. "To morrow," Clint -kept a saying, but the "To morrows" came and went and the cowboy always -a fretting hadn't got near Smoky's range. - -The great liking Clint had for the mouse colored horse made him fret -and worry more than was necessary. That liking made him imagine a lot -that was nowheres near true, and many a time that cowboy rolled in his -bunk, tired, and wore out, and dreamed of seeing Smoky caught in a snow -bank, weak, starving, and wolves drawing near. - -Smoky had sure enough lost considerable fat, and his strength was -reduced some too, but he was nowheres weak;--that is, not so weak that -he couldn't get up easy once he layed down, or be able to travel and -rustle for his feed. The last big storm had took him down some more, -but he was still able to plow thru the snow banks that'd gathered on -the sides of the ridges and get on the other side where the feed was -easier reached. - -If it didn't snow too much more there was no danger for Smoky and the -bunch he was with. Him and Pecos had got to know that range so well, -they knowed where the best of shelter could be found when the winds was -cold or the blizzard howled, and then again, they knowed of many ridges -and where the snow was always the thinnest. They had a spot to fit in -with or against whatever the weather had to hand out, and whether the -next on the program was to be sunshine or more snow they was still -well able to enjoy or compete with either. - - * * * * * - -Weeks had passed since Smoky had raised his head out of the hollow -in the snow and spotted the rider, who'd been Clint coming onto him, -and then one day, here comes another rider. Smoky had been the first -to spot that other rider, and as was natural, him and the rest of the -bunch made tracks away from there and till the rider couldn't be seen -no more. - -A mile or so on the bunch went to pawing snow and grazing again, night -was coming on, a wind was raising, and pretty soon light flakes of -snow begin to come. Then, when night was well on, and as the wind got -stronger and the snow heavier, the rider showed up again, right in the -middle of the bunch this time and before Smoky or any of the others -could see him.--The ponies scattered like a bunch of quail at the sight -of him and so close, but they soon got together again, and on a high -lope went along with the storm. - -The rider followed on after 'em, and as mile after mile of snow covered -country was left behind the ponies realized there was no dodging _him_. -Heavy drifts was lunged into and hit on a high run as they tried to -leave him behind, and then as they'd cross creek bottoms a mile or so -wide, and where the snow was from two to three feet deep, the run begin -to tell on 'em. They finally slowed down to a trot, and as the rider -wasn't pressing 'em any, there came a time when going at a walk seemed -plenty fast. They was getting tired. - -[Illustration: Heavy drifts was lunged into and hit on a high run as -they tried to leave the rider behind.] - -The night wore on with 'em a traveling that way, the heavy wind pushed -'em on and their long hair was matted with snow, but tired, and hard as -the deep snow was to buck thru, it all seemed better to drift on that -way than stand still in such as the storm had turned out to be. They -drifted on, not minding the rider much no more.--Then after a while it -begin to get light, slow and gradual, the new day come, and the rider, -finding a thick patch of willows let the ponies drift in the shelter. -He tried to look on the back trail as he let 'em drift, and he grinned -as the thick stinging snow blurred his view. - -"That old blizzard will sure do the work of covering up my trail," he -remarked as he looked for a sheltered spot amongst the willows. - -He soon found the sheltered spot and where the wind was more heard -than felt, and getting off his tired horse begin tamping himself a -place where he could move around a little and not have the snow up to -his waist. He tied his horse up where he'd be within easy reach, and -soon had a fire started out of dead willow twigs. Rice and "jerky" was -cooked in a small lard bucket, and et out of the same. When that was -gone, a few handfuls of snow was melted in the same bucket and coffee -was made. Then a cigarette was rolled, a few puffs drawed out of it, -and the man, curled up by the fire, was soon asleep. - -All of him, from the toe of his gunny sack covered boots to the dark -face which showed under the wore out black hat, pointed out as the -man being a halfbreed of Mexican and other blood that's darker, and -noticing the cheap, wore out saddle, the ragged saddle-blanket on a -horse that should of had some chance to feed instead of being tied up, -showed that he was a halfbreed from the _bad_ side, not caring, and -with no pride. - -He slept, feeling sure that no rider would be on his trail in this kind -of weather, for the trail he'd made was wiped out and covered over near -as soon as he made it, and as for the horses he'd stole, he knowed they -wouldn't be facing this storm and trying to go back; they'd be more for -staying in shelter instead and try to find something to eat. - -Seventeen head of Rocking R saddle stock, counting Smoky, was half a -mile or so further down the creek bottom from where the halfbreed was -sleeping. They hugged the thick willows for the shelter they'd give, -and feed off the small green branches, the rye grass, and everything -they could reach which they could chew on. Smoky and Pecos, side by -side, rustled on thru the deep snow, sometimes ahead and sometimes -behind the other horses, all a nosing around or pawing for whatever -little feed could be found, but many cattle had been there ahead of -'em, and when darkness came on they showed near as drawed as they'd -been that morning. - -The snowing had let up some during the day, but as night drawed near -the wind got stronger, the snow was drifting, and there'd be another -night of travel when no trail would be left to show. - -The breed woke up, looked around and grinned, then got up and shook -himself. The fire was started again, another bait was cooked and -consumed, and after all was gathered, he mounted his horse and went to -looking for the ponies he'd left to graze down the creek bottom. He run -onto 'em a couple of miles further and where he'd figgered they'd be, -and as dark settled over the snow covered range, he fell in behind 'em -and started 'em on the way. - -An hour or so of traveling, and then Smoky, who was in the lead, found -himself between the wings of a corral, a corral that was made of -willows and well hid. The breed had built it for _his purpose_, and -signs showed that it'd been used many a time before. Long willow poles -made the gate, and after he run the ponies in, and put up the poles, he -went after his rope on his saddle. - -Many a brand had been changed in that corral, and on both horse and -cow, other times he'd used it just to change horses, and that's what he -wanted just now, a fresh horse. He wasn't changing for the sake of the -tired horse he'd been riding, it was just that he didn't want to take -chances of having a tired horse under him in case somebody jumped him. - -His loop was made, and thru the dark he was trying to see just what -horse to put his rope on, the white background helped him considerable -in making out the shapes of the ponies, and there was one shape he -was looking out for before he let his loop sail, the shape of a mouse -colored blazed faced horse which he'd noticed and watched all along. -Pretty soon, and furthest away from him, he got a glimpse of Smoky's -head,--he recognized the white streak on his forehead, and his rope -sailed. - -Smoky snorted and ducked, the rope just grazed his ears and went on -to settle over another horse's head. In the dark, the breed couldn't -follow his rope, and he didn't know but what he'd caught Smoky till he -pulled on the rope and brought the horse to him. He cussed considerable -as he seen he'd caught another horse than the one he wanted, but as he -noticed that this horse was good size and strong looking, he let it go -at that, and didn't take time to make another try for Smoky. - -"I'll get you next time, you----" he says as he looked Smoky's way and -saddled the horse he'd caught. - -Letting the poles down the breed mounted the fresh horse, let the -ponies out, and turned 'em out of the creek bottom onto a long bench. -The strong winds had blowed most all the snow off there, and excepting -for a few low places where it had piled deep, traveling was made easy. -He kept the ponies on a trot most of the night, and sometimes where the -snow wasn't too deep he'd crowd 'em into a lope. - - * * * * * - -Steady, the gait was kept up, and finally, after the breed seen that -the ponies was too tired and weak to travel much more, he begin to look -for a place where he could hide 'em and where they could rustle feed -during the day that was soon to come. On the other end of the ridge -he was following, he knowed of a place, and taking down his rope, he -snapped it at the tired ponies and kept 'em on the move till that place -was reached. There, another stop was made. - -The storm had dwindled down and wore out till nothing was left but the -high wind, it kept the snow drifting, which would keep on covering -tracks and make traveling easier. But the breed didn't need the storm -to help him no more, for, as he figgered, the country ahead and where -he was headed was all open, he expected no riders would be found on -the way at that time of the year, and as he'd been on that route many -a time before with stolen stock, he knowed just how far it was between -each good hiding and stopping place, both for himself and stock. - -There was corrals on the way, some built by him, and others built by -more of his kind. Sometimes he would change the iron on the ponies -he'd just stole, but as the hair was too long for anybody to be able -to read the brand that was on 'em, that could wait a while till he got -further away and he could travel in daytime more. - -He was pleased with everything in general as he left the ponies and -started hunting a shelter for himself, he grinned, satisfied, as he -melted snow for his coffee and figgered on the price the ponies would -bring. He knowed good horses, and even tho they was in poor shape now -he knowed what they'd turn out to be after a month's time on green -grass. - -And then there was "Smoky," that mouse colored horse;--he'd heard how -four hundred dollars had been offered for that pony, and allowed that -some other cowman to the south would be glad to give at least half that -price for him, once it was showed what a cowhorse he really was. - -A few hundred miles to the south was the breed's hangout, a place in -a low country and where the snow hardly stayed. Once there he could -take it easy, let the ponies fatten up, and after the brand was well -"blotched" so nobody would recognize the original, he'd sell 'em one at -a time for a good price or ship 'em out to some horse dealer. In the -meantime he had nothing to worry about, the storm had took his trail -off the face of the earth, there was a good seventy miles between him -and where he'd started with the horses, and near a hundred miles to the -Rocking R home ranch. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - "THE FEEL OF A STRANGE HAND" - - -A long month had passed since Clint had rode out to get Smoky and came -back with a calf instead. Every day since, that cowboy had been for -going after Smoky again, but the deep snow and storms had more than -kept him breaking trails for snowbound cattle that was weak and needed -bringing in, he couldn't find no time and hadn't been able to frame no -excuse so as he could hit out for Smoky's range. Then one morning he -got up with a hunch. He tried to keep it down, but every morning it got -stronger till finally Clint just had to saddle up the best horse he had -and hit out for where Smoky had been wintering. - -The last big storm had let up a few days before, and many fresh tracks -covered the horse range, Clint trailed and trailed, he found and went -thru many bunches of ponies, but no Smoky. Even the bunch that pony -was running with when last seen had seemed to evaporate into thin air, -and there Clint wondered. He wondered if somebody'd stole him and the -bunch, but he put that off, figgering that no horse thief would steal -horses packing as well known a brand as the Rocking R, unless he was a -daggone fool, or a daggone good one. Anyway, as worried as Clint was, -he felt some relieved in not finding the bunch Smoky had been with, for -if he'd found them and no Smoky that'd been proof enough that the pony -had went and died somewheres. The other ponies he'd seen that day still -looked good and strong, and that was proof enough that Smoky must be -the same. - -"Most likely him and his bunch just drifted with that last storm and -went back to their home range," Clint thought, as he headed his horse -back for the ranch, but the hunch that was still with him didn't seem -to agree with that thought none at all. - -Two weeks later found the cowboy on the horse range once more, and -making a bigger circle, but Smoky and his bunch still kept being -amongst the missing. He told Old Tom about it as he got back to the -ranch that night, but the old man didn't seem worried; he waved a hand -as Clint said how he'd finally got to believe that the whole bunch had -been stole. - -"Don't worry," he says, "we'll find him and all the rest during horse -round up." - -Finally, spring broke up, the deep drifts started to melting and the -creeks begin to raise, then after a while, and when the "hospital -stuff"[2] had been turned out on the range a couple of weeks, riders -begin stringing out towards the horse range and gathering the remuda. -Clint lined out by himself and hit for the country where Smoky had -been raised. He reached the camp where he'd started breaking him, and -from there he rode, every morning with a fresh horse and running down -every bunch of stock horses a hoping to get sight of the mouse colored -gelding. - -[Footnote 2: The old cattle which'd been kept and fed under the sheds -thru the winter.] - -He rode for a week and seen every horse that was on that range, strays -and all, and finally after he'd combed the whole country where Smoky -had run as a colt, he rode back to the ranch, feeling disappointed but -a hoping that the other riders had found him. - -The remuda was in the big corrals, when he got there, all of it, -excepting for the seventeen head which couldn't be found nowheres. -Smoky was one of the seventeen. - -There was a few more days riding, and then of a sudden Old Tom decided -Clint had been right, the horses was sure enough stolen--. His big car -hit only the high spots as the old man headed for town,--jack rabbits -was passed by and left behind the same as if they'd been tied, and when -he hit the main street he was doing seventy. He put on his brakes and -passed the sheriff's office by half a block, but he left his car there, -and hoofed on a high run all the way back. - -That official was notified of the theft, and notified to notify other -officials of the State and other States around, and Old Tom stuck close -to see that that was done and mighty quick. A thousand dollars reward -was offered for the thief, and the same reward for the return of the -horses, naming one mouse colored saddle horse as special. - -The spring round up went by, summer, and then the fall round up and the -close of the season's work. Nothing of Smoky, nor any of the ponies -he'd run with or the horse thief was heard of; it seemed like one and -all had left the earth for good, and if what all Old Tom often wished -on the thief could of come thru, that hombre would of sure found -himself in a mighty hot place. - -Clint rode on for the Rocking R thru that summer and fall, and always -as he rode, he kept an eye on the country around and hoping that -sometimes he'd run acrost his _one_ horse, Smoky. He didn't want to -think that the horse had been stolen, and he kept a saying to himself -as he rode: "he's just strayed away somewheres."--There wasn't a draw, -coulee, or creek bottom passed by without the whole of it was looked -into, and never before was the Rocking R country looked into so well. -Every rider, on down to the wrangler, kept his eyes peeled for the -mouse colored horse, and even tho _cattle_ is what the wagons was out -for, there was more eyes out for Smoky, and cattle was only brought in -as second best. - -[Illustration: And even tho cattle is what the round up wagons was out -for, there was more eyes out for Smoky, and cattle was only brought in -as second best.] - -It wasn't till fall round up was near over that Clint begin losing all -hope of ever seeing Smoky again in _that_ country, and as them hopes -left him, there came a hankering for him to move. Maybe it was just -to be moving and riding on some other range for a change, but back of -it all, and if Clint had stopped to figger some, he'd found that his -hankering to move wasn't only for seeing new territory,--there was a -faint hope away deep, that some day, somewheres, he'd find Smoky. - -For that pony had got tangled up in the cowboy's heartstrings a heap -more than that cowboy wanted to let on, even to himself. He couldn't -get away from _how_ he missed him. He'd thought of him when on day herd -and how the horse had seemed to understand every word he'd said. On the -cutting grounds, he'd kept a comparing whatever horse he'd be riding -with Smoky, and find that pony (no matter how good he was) a mighty -poor excuse of a cowhorse alongside of the mouse colored pony that was -missing. - -[Illustration: Clint'd keep on comparing whatever horse he'd be riding -with Smoky, and find that pony (no matter how good he was) a mighty -poor excuse as compared with the mouse colored horse that was missing.] - -But all them good points of Smoky's was nothing as compared to the rest -of what that horse really had been _as a horse_, and there's where -Smoky had got under Clint's hide, as a horse, one in a thousand. - -The last of the wagons had trailed into the home ranch, and the next -day, the remuda was hazed out to the winter range.--Clint wasn't along -that fall to see the ponies turned loose. Instead he was in the big -bunk house at the home ranch, and busy stuffing his saddle into a gunny -sack. A railroad map was spread on the floor and which the cowboy had -been studying. - -Jeff opened the door of the bunk house and took in at a glance what all -Clint was up to;--he noticed the railroad map laying by his foot and -smiled. - -"I figgered you would," he says, "now that Smoky is not with the outfit -no more." - -The first of winter had come and hit the high mountains of the southern -country. Big, dark clouds had drifted in, drenched the ranges down -to bedrock with a cold rain, and hung on for days. Then the rain had -gradually turned to a wet snow, kept a falling steady, and without a -break, till it seemed like the country itself was shivering under the -spell. - -Finally, and after many long days, the dark clouds begin to get lighter -and lighter and started lifting and drifting on--then one evening, the -sun got a chance to peek thru and smile at the country again. It went -down a smiling that way and after it disappeared over the blue ridge a -new moon took its place for a spell, and like as to promise that the -sun would smile again the next day. - -And it did, it came up bright and real fitting to that Arizona country. -The air was clear as spring water in a granite pool, and as still. -The whole world seemed dozing and just contented to take on all the -warmth and life the sun was giving. A mountain lion was stretched out -on a boulder, warm and comfortable, where the day before he'd been in -his den all curled up and shivering, then a few deer come out of their -shelter, hair on end and still wet thru, but as they reached the sunny -side of the mountain it wasn't long when it dried again, and layed -smooth. - -Further down the mountain and more on the foothills, a little chipmunk -stuck his head out of his winter quarters and blinked at the sun. He -blinked at it for quite a spell like not believing, and pretty soon -came out to make sure. He stood up, rolled in the warm dirt, and in -more ways than one made up for the long days he'd holed away. Other -chipmunks came out, and then he went visiting, more seeds was gathered -as he went from bush to bush and even tho he already had a mighty -big supply already stored away, he worked on as tho he was afraid of -running short long before spring come. - -He was at his busiest, and tearing a pine cone apart for the nuts he'd -find inside, when he hears something a tearing thru the brush and -coming his way. Away he went and hightailed it towards his hole, and -he'd no more than got there when he gets a glimpse of what looked like -a mountain of a horse and running for all he was worth.--A long rope -was dragging from his neck. - -The chipmunk went down as far in his hole as he could, stood still and -listened a minute, and then storing away the nuts he'd gathered, stuck -his head out once more. He chirped considerable as he looked around to -see if any more out of the ordinary or dangerous looking was in sight, -and he'd just had time to blink at the scenery a couple of times, when -he gets a glimpse of another horse,--this one was packing a man, and at -the same speed went right on the trail the other had left. - -The chipmunk never wondered what this running was all about, he just -chirped and ducked out of sight, but it wasn't long when he stuck his -head out again and gradually showed all of himself. He stood up on a -rock close to his hole, and looking around from there, he could see two -objects out towards the flat, moving fast, and seeming like one trying -to catch up with the other. He watched 'em, till a raise finally took -'em out of sight, then he watched some more and in other directions and -seeing nothing that'd need watching, he went to visiting again and to -gathering more nuts. - -Out on the flat, and on the other side of the raise the two objects -went on. How glad that one object in the lead would of been to've -changed places with the chipmunk and like him been able to crawl down a -hole and hide for a spell. For hours and hours thru the night he'd been -trailed, his hoofs had sunk deep into the mud every step he'd took, but -acrost foothills and dobe flats he'd went on, always the human close -behind. - -Twice that human'd disappeared and he'd took hope, but soon he'd show -up again, and mounted on a fresh horse would chase him some more. A -rope had settled around his neck once,--he'd fought till it broke, and -run on a dragging it. - -[Illustration: A rope had settled around his neck once, he'd fought -till it broke,--and run on a dragging it.] - -He was getting tired, mighty tired, and beginning to feel with each -step he took that the country was in cahoots with the man and trying -to hold him back. His feet went ankle deep in the soft, rain-soaked -ground, and pulling out and placing 'em ahead steady, on and on, was -getting to be more and more of an effort. - -Once again the man disappeared, only to show up mounted on another -fresh horse, the man's relay string had been well placed and as the -horse he'd been chasing was getting tired and easier right along to -turn the way he wanted him, he could near see how the end of the chase -was going to be. - -The sun was getting well up in the sky when skirting along the -foothills and going thru a thick bunch of cedars, the tired horse -noticed dead cedars piled up in a way that made a fence. Any other -time he'd whirled at the sight and went some other way, but his vision -wasn't very clear no more, nor was his brain working very good. He'd -went on his nerves and kept on long after his muscles had hollered -"quit," and he'd got to the point where he was running because -something away back in his mind kept a telling him that he should, -really not knowing why. He was past caring where he went, and even if -the rider behind had stopped and quit, he'd kept on running just the -same and till he'd dropped. - -He followed the cedar fence hardly realizing it was there. Then from -the other side of him appeared another fence, it gradually pinched in -on him as he went, till finally both fences led up to a gate and into a -corral hid in the thick trees. There he stopped, realizing somehow that -he couldn't go no further, and legs wide apart, breathing hard, sweat -a dripping from every part of him, he stood still. - -The halfbreed closed the pole gate, and turned looking at the horse. - -"Now, you ornery mouse colored hunk of meanness, I guess I got you." - -But Smoky, eyes half closed and not seeing, head near touching the -ground, and the rest of him trying hard to stay up, never seemed to -hear. - - * * * * * - -Many months had passed and many things happened since Smoky had been -hazed away from his home range on the Rocking R. There'd been long -nights of traveling when many miles was covered and very little feed -was got on the way. Then long, weary miles of travel had accumulated -till near a thousand of 'em separated him from the country where he'd -been born and raised. - -Many strange looking hills and flats he'd crossed as he was kept on -the go with Pecos and the rest of the bunch, and when he'd come to the -desert it'd been a great relief,--the deep snow had gradually been -left behind by then and the bare sagebrush flats had took the place of -the snow covered prairie. Many bunches of wild ponies had been seen on -the way and once in a while a little bunch of cattle was passed by. -The country had kept a changing, from rolling prairie it went to low -hills, low hills to mountains, and on the other side more low hills and -then sagebrush, the sagebrush had stayed in the landscape from then on -and only added some yuccas as the southern country was reached, then -spanish dagger, barrel cactus, and cat-claw. - -Finally a wide river in a deep canyon of many colors had been reached -and swimmed acrost. A few days more travel, and then it seemed like -Smoky and the bunch had got _there_,--anyway there'd been no more -traveling. The next day, the half breed had corralled all the ponies, -and with a running iron, blotched the Rocking R brand over with what -looked like a wagon wheel. The original brand was disfigured complete, -and then the horses was shoved up on a high knoll while the new brand -healed. The knoll was a high flat mesa, with rimrocks all around and -where it could be got up on only in one place, that place had then been -closed with a rope and a blanket stretched over it. There was good feed -up there, and enough snow and rain water in a natural reservoir to last -many days. - -All would of been well for Smoky, and the long trip with the bucking -of snow, hard traveling, and all with the changes of the country would -of been took in as it come, but along with that trip, there'd growed -something between that pony's ears which had got to chafe. It was a -hate, a hate with poison and all for the breed that'd kept him and the -others on the move. - -Smoky was born with a natural fear and hate of the human, he'd carried -it always, excepting when Clint, _that one man_, was around, but hating -humans had never bothered him, not till the dark face of the breed had -showed itself over the skyline. - -With him in sight, that hate had got to grow till murder showed in his -eye, and the little fear that was still with him, was all that'd kept -him from doing damage to the dark complected human that'd trailed along -behind all the way. He'd boiled over to himself, stayed in the lead, -and far away from the breed as he could. - -The breed had throwed a rope at him one day, and missed. Smoky had -never been missed that way before, and from that once he'd learned -that by ducking at the right time there was such a thing as dodging a -rope. The next day the breed had throwed his rope at him again, and -Smoky watching, had ducked at the right time and once more the loop had -missed. The breed begin cussing as he spread another loop and tried to -place it around Smoky's neck, but his cussing didn't do him any good, -and the loop had fell short a foot from the dodging pony's head. - -Smoky would of enjoyed all that, if he hadn't meant it so much, and -what's more the breed had got ferocious, which all made things more -serious for the horse. He'd hated the sound of that breed's voice as -that hombre, fighting his head, and cussing for all he was worth, had -coiled up his rope once more and made ready for another try. - -And in that third throw the breed had fooled Smoky. He'd swung his rope -like as to throw it, but the loop had never left his hands. Smoky had -dodged and dodged thinking sure that the rope had come, but it never -had, and finally when he'd quit dodging, it did come, and with the -speed of a "blue racer" had circled around his neck. - -Smoky had fought like a trapped grizzly as the rope had drawed up, and -the breed had to take a few turns around a corral post to hold him. - -"I'll fix you now, you----" - -Cussing a blue streak, the breed had broke a limb off the willows that -hung over the corral, and coming towards Smoky had been for showing -that horse who was boss. He'd went to work, and tried to break the limb -over the fighting pony's head. Orneriness had stuck up in the breed's -gizzard, and anything would be done, even killing the horse right there -would of been hunkydory so long as he could ease his feelings some. - -He'd pounded and pounded till the limb begin to break, and as he'd -noticed it give that way he was going to keep on till it did break, but -there again, luck had been against him. The rope that'd held Smoky went -and separated at the honda and set the horse free. - -The breed had raved on some more at seeing his victim getting away, and -throwed the club after him as the pony staggered back amongst the other -ponies, and then somehow realizing that then was no time to fool with -ornery horses, the breed had caught another horse. - -"I'll tend to you some more," he hollered at Smoky, and getting on the -other horse he'd let the bunch out and started 'em on the trail. - -Two hundred miles of that trail was covered, and in the time it took to -cover that distance, Smoky had fed on hate for the breed till that hate -growed to a disease. Killing the breed would be all that could cure -it. Every blow that human had pounded on his head that day, a couple -of weeks past, had left a scar, a scar that healed on the surface, but -which went to his heart instead, spread there, and stayed raw. - -Then one day, on the edge of a big desert flat and amongst the junipers -the breed spotted a high, strong, corral. A log cabin with smoke coming -out of the chimney was off to one side a ways, and standing in the -door was a man, the first man the breed had seen since starting out -with the stolen horses. But he felt safe, five hundred miles had been -covered, the brands on the horses had all been "picked"[3] and besides, -as he figgered, it'd be a good place to stop a while and recuperate; -and as he seen the place was a cow camp, he thought maybe he could get -the cowboy to help him some with that mouse colored horse he was still -wanting to "tend" to and packing a grudge against. - -[Footnote 3: Changed for a time by just cutting the hair.] - -The cowboy wasn't much for the breed the minute that hombre rode up, -but as company was scarce, he kinda stood him, and even agreed to help -him with the horse. - -Smoky watched the two walk in the corral the next day, and knowed -something was up. His ears layed back at the sight of the breed and -hate showed from every part of him;--he was ready to fight, and if -anything he was glad of the chance. - -But Smoky had no chance, too many ropes settled on him at once, and the -first thing he knowed, he was flat on his side and tied down before he -could use either hoof or teeth. - -The horse was no more than down and helpless, when the breed, seeing -his victim within reach and where he couldn't get away, begin to get -rid of what'd been on his chest for so long, and when Smoky even tho -tied down, reached over and near pulled the shirt off of him with his -teeth, was when the breed figgered he had an excuse to beat that horse -to a pulp even tho the horse had no chance. - -The cowboy, not understanding the breed's tactics for a spell, stood -off a ways, and watched. There was all about the horse to show that -he'd been right in his first dislike for the dark faced hombre. At -first he was for interfering and shove the club the breed was using -right down his throat. Then as he noticed how the pony would like to do -the damaging instead, he thought of a better way and walked up. - -"Listen, feller," he says to the breed, "what's the use of beating a -horse up that way. Why don't you give him a chance and try to do it -_while you're setting on him_?" - -"Maybe you think I can't do it," says that hombre, bleary-eyed and mad -clear thru. - -The scheme had worked fine--the cowboy grinned to himself as he helped -the breed put the saddle on Smoky. Once he'd got a little too close to -that pony's head while helping that way, and that horse come within -an inch of getting his arm, the cowboy overlooked it, and to himself -remarked: "the poor devil had sure got a reason to be mean, and I guess -he's at the point where he figgers no human is his friend any more." - -The cowboy was right, anything on two legs, whether it was the breed -or any other human, had sure enough got to be Smoky's enemy,--a -crethure to scatter into dust and put out of the way whenever a chance -showed up. - -The saddle was cinched on, and while the breed was getting as much of -the seat under him as he could, the cowboy took off the foot ropes, -and soon as the last coil was pulled away, he made long steps for the -highest part of the corral and where he could watch everything to _his -heart's content_. - -[Illustration: And while the breed was getting as much of the saddle -under him as he could, the cowboy took off the foot ropes.] - -The cowboy had no more than reached the top pole of the corral when a -sudden commotion, which sounded like a landslide, made him turn. Smoky -had come up, and at last given a chance had more than started to make -use of it. It was his turn to do some pounding, and he done it with the -saddle that was on his back and which went with every crooked and hard -hitting jump he made. - -The breed had rode many hard horses and he was a good rider, but he -soon found that Smoky was a harder horse to set than any he'd ever rode -before, and as good a rider as he was there was many a twist brought in -that he couldn't keep track of,--they kept a coming too fast, and it -wasn't long when he begin to feel that setting in that saddle on such -a horse was no place for him. The saddle horn and cantle was taking -turns and hitting him from all sides, till he didn't know which way -he was setting. Pretty soon he lost both stirrups, and once as he was -a hanging over to one side, one of them stirrups came up and hit him -between the eyes. That finished him--, he hit the ground like a ton of -lead. - -The cowboy up on top of the corral had laughed and enjoyed the -performance all the way thru, and when the breed dug his nose in the -dust of the corral he laughed all the more, he'd never been more -agreeable to seeing a man get "busted" in his life. - -The breed layed in a heap, never moving, and then the cowboy, finally -getting serious, was for getting him out of there before the horse -spotted him, and reduced him into thin air. Somehow, he wasn't caring -to see a human get tore apart and right before his eyes that way even -if that human did deserve killing, but Smoky's interest was all for -shedding the saddle right then and all that carried the breed's smell; -finally _it_ begin to slip;--higher and higher on his withers it went -till the high point was reached, and then it started going down. When -it reached the ground the hackamore had come off with it, and before -Smoky, slick and clean, straightened up again, the breed had picked -himself up, and without the help of the cowboy, sneaked out of the -corral. - -[Illustration: Smoky's interest was all for shedding the saddle right -then and all that carried the breed's smell.] - -The next few minutes was used by that cowboy in telling the breed to -get another horse saddled and hit the trail while the hitting was -good, and helping him getting his horses together, boosted him out of -camp.--But the breed wasn't thru with Smoky, he was going to "tend to -him" again, some other time. - -Months had went by before that other time come, and it'd been away -late in the next fall before that hombre ever put his hands on Smoky -again. In that time, the other ponies, which all had seemed inclined to -behave, had been sold. Smoky had been kept in the corral, treated with -a club regular, and fed "post hay," till, as the breed figgered, he'd -break that pony's spirit, or break his neck, but he was going to _make_ -him behave some way, so as he'd get the price he'd be asking for him. - -Then one night a high March wind had sprung up, rattled the corral -gate, and finally worked it open. Smoky hadn't been long in seeing the -opening, and when a few days later the breed, hunting for the horse, -spotted him, the mouse colored gelding had took up with the wild bunch, -and only a glimpse of him did he get. - -Every once in a while that whole summer the breed had tried cutting -Smoky out of the wild bunch and run him in, but that pony had been -harder to get near than any of the wild ones he was with. He knowed -what was on the program for him if that breed ever caught him -again,--the steady beatings he'd got from him had made his hate grow -for the human till a striking rattlesnake looked like a friend in -comparing. - -[Illustration: That pony had been harder to get near than any of the -wild ones he was with.] - -But the breed hadn't been for quitting,--he couldn't stand to have -anything get the best of him, not even an ornery pony, and as Smoky -enjoyed his wild freedom them summer months, the breed had kept a -studying which circle Smoky and the wild ones would take whenever -they was being chased, and getting a good lay of the land he finally -figgered a plan. - -And, that's how come, when he started out after Smoky again in the fall -he knowed just where to place a relay string of ponies. At the other -end was a trap corral and well hid--Then the breed spotted the horse -late one afternoon, and fell in behind him and the other wild ones he -was with. It had been a long chase, the wild ones had dropped out of -the run one by one and branched to one side, but Smoky and the rest -of the strongest had kept on right along on the trail where the breed -had stationed his fresh relay horses. Finally, and as the breed kept a -coming in on 'em with fresh horses, the strongest of the mustangs kept -a branching out, but Smoky had kept on straight ahead, till, leg weary -and staggering, he'd found himself in the wings of the trap corral, and -then inside, past being able to see the grinning halfbreed who'd closed -the gate on him. - - * * * * * - -A few days went by when Smoky seemed in a trance. He remembered some -of being led and jerked all the way back to the breed's hangout, of -being saddled the next day and jerked around some more, and then rode -out and with spur and quirt, made to trot around. He didn't realize the -breed had set on him or he didn't seem to care. The little hay that was -throwed out to him wasn't noticed, and hardly did he drink,--only if by -chance he happened to mope around the corral and find himself standing -in the stream that was running in one side of it. - -There was everything about the horse to indicate that in a few more -days he'd be laying down, never to get up no more; his trail seemed -fast coming to an end, and the heart that was left in him had shrunk -till nary a beat of it could be felt. The breed kept a riding him out, -thinking he at last and for sure had the horse right where he wanted -him. - -"I'll make a good horse out of you, you scrub," he'd say as he'd beat -him over the head with his quirt and at the same time cut him with -the spur. Smoky had seemed to feel neither the quirt nor the spur. -He didn't flinch nor even bat an eye as both would come down on him -and leave the marks. There seemed to be no sign of hopes or life left -in the horse, and the abuse went on till, finally, one day the breed -happened to cut the horse a little deeper and in a more sensitive place. - -That cut had stirred the pony's shrunk up heart, and a faint spark had -showed in his eyes for a second. The next day Smoky even snorted a -little as the breed walked into the corral, and he tried to buck some -as he climbed into the saddle. The breed was surprised at the new show -of spirit, and remarked as he took down his quirt: - -"I'll take _that_ out of you." - -From that day on Smoky's heart begin to expand towards natural size -once more--But it wasn't the same kind of heart that had once been -his,--that first one had died, and this one had took root from abuse, -growed from rough treatment to full size, and with hankerings in it -only for finding and destroying all that wasn't to his liking. And -there was nothing to his liking no more. - -The breed he hated more than anything in the world, but Smoky, with -that new heart of his, wasn't for showing them feelings much. He'd got -wise in ways of how and when to do his fighting, and where it'd do most -good;--he'd wait for a chance. In the meantime he'd got to eating every -stem of what little hay the breed would hand him; he'd have to live to -carry out them new ambitions of his. - -But somehow, a hint of Smoky's new ambitions must of leaked out; anyway -the breed had a hunch that it wouldn't be well for him to come too -close to that pony's teeth and hoofs. He'd often watch him thru the -corral poles and wonder, he'd sometimes wonder if it wouldn't be best -to just place a forty-five slug between that pony's ears instead of -fooling with him, but the hopes of still being able to sell the horse -for a good price would always keep him from drawing his gun. - -[Illustration: The breed would often watch him thru the corral poles -and wonder, he'd sometimes wonder if it wouldn't be best to just place -a forty-five slug between that pony's ears instead of fooling with him.] - -"A good long ride'll fix you," says the breed one morning as he drug -his saddle near the corral chute. "And I've got a hell of a long one -ahead for you to-day." - -Smoky was prodded into the chute with a long pole, and saddled where he -couldn't move. Then the breed climbed in the saddle, opened the chute -gate and started the horse out on a long run. - -Ten miles of country was covered which Smoky didn't see; his instinct -made him dodge badger holes and jump washouts, and his eyes and ears -was steady back and on the human he was packing, if he could only reach -with his teeth and get him down. - -The breed's spurs kept a gouging him, and along with the quirt a -pounding, Smoky was kept into a high lope. With that kind of tattoo -being played on him the pony gradually begin to warm up and getting -peeved, it wouldn't be long, if that gait was kept up, when he'd be -reaching the boiling point, and then get desperate. - -A steep bank was reached by the edge of a creek, and there Smoky sorta -hesitated a second. His ears and eyes was pointed ahead for that second -and looking for a place where the going down wouldn't be so sudden, -when the breed, always looking for some reason to deal the horse -misery, put the steel and layed the quirt to him at once. That took -Smoky by surprise, and the flame that'd been smoldering in his heart -loomed up into an active volcano all at once. - -Down over the bank he went, and when he landed he had his head between -his front legs and went to bucking from there. By some miracle the -breed stuck him for half a dozen jumps, then he made a circle in the -air and landed on all fours at the foot of the bank. - -A shadow on the ground and right by him made the breed reach for his -gun near as quick as he landed; it was the shadow of the horse and _too -close_; his gun was out of the holster and he turned to use it; but he -was just the splinter of a second too late, and the six-shooter was -buried in the ground as Smoky, like a big cougar, pounced on him. - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - "WHEN THE GOOD LEAVES" - - -Big posters was tacked on the telegraph poles all around the little -town of Gramah. Them posters could be seen in many windows of the -town's stores, and advertised the coming rodeo and cowboys' reunion. -Amongst the prizes that was wrote down on the poster was prints from -photographs of bucking horses and steers, and taking most of the room -in the centre of it was the picture of a bucking horse which outdone -all the others. It showed that horse throwing his rider in a way few -riders ever get throwed. Then in big letters underneath was the words: -THE COUGAR CHALLENGES THE WORLD'S BEST. - -The Cougar was the name of a bucking horse, the main attraction, and -challenger to all the good riders of the country. No line was drawed -as to where them riders came from or how far, and the purse that was -offered for the one who could ride that horse and scratch him was -enough to make any good rider want to come a long ways and try. - -Many had come and tried him at other rodeos and where The Cougar had -performed, and found that that pony was no ordinary bucking horse, and -as all that tried him could tell, afterwards, there was more than his -bucking to contend with; he was mean, there was murder in his eye, and -if it wasn't for the "pick-up" men who hazed him, many a cowboy would -of been pawed to pieces even before he could of hit the ground. - -That pony seemed to have a grudge against humans in general; his -ambition was for exterminating 'em all off the face of the earth. But -there was one thing which the riders noticed in him as most queer, -and that was in the way he seemed to hate some humans worse than -others,--his hate was plainest for the face that showed dark. - -A story followed the horse, and which kept a being repeated as rider -met rider at different rodeos and frontier day celebrations. It was -that the horse had been found on the desert, amongst a bunch of wild -horses and packing an empty saddle. There'd been dried blood sticking -to the hair along his jaw, and some more on his knees; the horse had -been roped and tied down and the riders had looked for signs of wounds -or cuts on his hide but nary a scratch had been found. - -[Illustration: The horse had been found out in the desert, amongst a -bunch of wild horses and packing an empty saddle.] - -The horse was then advertised in the county and State papers and -described as "A mouse colored, blaze faced, stocking legged gelding, -and packing a brand that looked like a blotched wagon wheel." The -advertisement was kept running for two weeks and nobody showed to claim -the horse. He was kept in the pasture for a few days more, and then one -day one of the riders run him in the corral. - -The cowboy had liked the looks of the pony from the day he'd set eyes -on him; he'd figgered him as an ordinary horse that'd been spoiled a -little, and shaking out a loop, there'd been no doubt in his mind but -what that could be took out of him easy enough. But he hadn't got -very far when he found that the pony would have to be throwed before a -saddle could ever be put on his back. There was a look in the horse's -eye which he didn't like, and that cowboy having handled all kind of -horses knowed mighty well what that look meant. - -He kept his distance, and from there worked his ropes till the horse -went down to his knees and then flat to the ground. The saddle was -cinched on tight, and seeing that the hackamore was on the pony's -head to stay, the cowboy took his seat while the horse was down, and -reaching over took the foot ropes off. - -What went on in the next few minutes was past ever being described with -talk, and as that cowboy felt, telling about it would be a disgrace as -compared with what really happened--something like trying to paint the -Grand Canyon of Arizona on black canvas with black paint. - -Anyway, that cowboy had reached for the top pole of the corral and -got on the other side of it before the pony had really got started to -whatever he was up to, and there on the safe side he done a mental -round up, and it all came to him. He remembered the empty saddle that -was on the pony's back when found that day two weeks past--then the -dried blood that'd been on his jaw and more of it on his knees--. - -The cowboy had remarked as thru the corral poles he'd watched the man -killer: - -"A twelve hundred pound mountain lion is what that horse is." - -That's where his name Cougar had come in, and no horse never lived up -to a name like the mouse colored gelding did to his. - -Then had come rumors of a Fourth of July celebration which was going -to be pulled off in some big town to the south; there was to be bronc -riding and everything that went with it. A prize of a hundred dollars -had been offered for the best bucking horse, and that's how come one -day that The Cougar made his first appearance before a grandstand. A -warning was given to the "pick-up" man and "hazers" to be on hand and -watch out nobody got hurt, and them few words of warning that way had -proved to sound mighty right before that day was over. - -The Cougar had been _tried_ out, and then a hundred dollars was -handed to the rider who'd brought him in. He'd won the prize. There -was no doubt in anybody's mind but what that pony was by a long ways -the meanest and hardest horse to ride there, and not only there, but -anywhere else and wherever hard bucking horses was rode. Fifty dollars -additional was offered for the right to keep the horse for rodeo -purposes. That was refused, and when the last day of the doings come, -and the riders came up for the "finals" another fifty was added to the -first offer, and accepted. A bill of sale was made out, and The Cougar -from that day on was drove from stockyard to stock car and from arena -to arena. - -In front of the crowded grandstand is where his fame as a fighting, man -hating, bucking outlaw begin to spread, and from State to State, town -and range folks alike was on hand and whenever he was to be rode and -handled; for watching that horse perform was alone worth more than the -price that was asked for the ticket at the gate of the rodeo grounds. - -[Illustration: In front of the crowded grandstand is where his fame as -a man-hating, bucking outlaw begin to spread.] - -It wasn't long when the folks thru whole of the southwestern states -begin to talk of The Cougar as they did of their favorite movie actor, -actress, or the Prince of Wales. Tourists from Europe and from all -parts of the U. S. came and went, and carried stories with 'em about -the wonders of the wickedness of that horse. Then rodeo committees -begin to perk up their ears, and at the same time started bidding for -him. The Cougar's presence got to be valuable, and came a time when -five hundred dollars was offered by a rival who also made a business -of furnishing rodeos with strings of bucking stock. The offer wasn't -considered, none at all, and the riders around had their doubts if even -a thousand would change the ownership of that horse. - -Every summer thru, the mouse colored outlaw was skipped along with the -others more or less of his kind and unloaded at some different rodeo -grounds; every few weeks and for three or four days he was _rode at_. -Twice or three times a day during the doings, some strange rider would -climb him, the chute gate would fly open, and out would come a tearing, -bellering hunk of steel coils to land out a ways, and like a ton of -lava from up above, jar the earth even up to the grandstand. - -[Illustration: The chute gate would fly open, and out would come a -tearing, bellering hunk of steel coils to land out a ways, and like a -ton of lava from above, jar the earth even up to the grandstand.] - -The judges, pick-up men, and others around would find themselves short -about ten pairs of eyes as all tried to catch every crooked move that -pony put into his work. All breaths seemed to be held up during that -time, but never no time was them breaths held up for very long, cause, -very soon, there'd be a scattering of a tall cowboy, who, from the -chute had started on top, took a lot of wicked jars while setting -there, and so high, and good rider as he'd have to be, soon come to -conclude that it sure was no disgrace to be separated from his saddle -and flung out a ways--not on that horse. - -Very seldom would the rider have to walk back very far, and sometimes -only a few feet was between the rider who was picking himself up and -the chute where he'd rode out from so fast and furious. - -As an all around outlaw and bucking horse The Cougar had no rival; -there wasn't a horse in the state or any state neighboring that could -compete with him in either fighting or bucking, and folks seeing or -studying the horse often wondered; for anybody who knowed horses could -see that that horse hadn't been born a natural outlaw like most of -the rodeo's bucking horses generally are; that pony had brains, a big -supply of 'em and which showed in the way he'd go about throwing his -man. He wasn't like the average bucking horse, who'd often buck back -under the man that was already loosened, and instead, when The Cougar -felt a man lose an inch, that inch was never got back. The saddle kept -a getting away from him from then on. - -But there was more and which was all proof as to the amount of brains -that pony carried, there was his hate for the man, and which showed the -same as the hate one human would have for another, only it was more -dangerous. And then again, and as the cowboy who took care of him often -remarked:-- - -"The way that horse packs a grudge, somebody sure must of dealt him a -dirty deal some time or other. I know there's sure something on his -mind besides that too, and like he's pining for something that's gone -and hopeless; at them times he acts like he wants my company the same -as tho he was craving for somebody, but them spells don't last long, -and soon he seems to come back to earth and realizing things. Then's -when I'm not within reaching distance no more--but by golly, I sure -wish sometimes that horse would like me as well as he hates." - -The first two years he put in as The Cougar and bad horse was the most -ferocious two years any horse went thru. It was wicked times, not only -for the horse, but for all who handled and tried to ride him. There -was so much poison in that pony's heart that the only way he could -live was by hating and being hated; he fed on it, and the bars or -poles that was between him and whoever he wanted to get at in his fits -of wickedness showed signs a plenty of his hankering to murder,--the -destroying ability of that pony's teeth and hoofs sure was visible, and -convincing. - -He wasn't at all the same horse that'd faced a cowboy some eight years -or so past. He hadn't wanted to fight then, he'd just wanted to get -away and be left alone and he'd only fought the rope that held him, -and even tho his suspicions and hate of the human had been natural he -hadn't seen anything about that cowboy he wanted to disfigure. - -He'd done a mighty neat job of bucking in the Rocking R corrals and -made Clint pay attention to his riding pretty well; but his bucking -then, even tho it was hard, didn't compare much with the bucking of -The Cougar. He'd just been bucking thru instinct, it was the natural -thing for a brainy range horse to do, and when he bucked it wasn't for -meaness but just to see if he couldn't get out from under that rig and -man. He'd felt like it didn't belong up there in the middle of him, and -he'd only wanted to make sure that it all could stick. - -He'd given it all a mighty good test of course, but as compared with -the way Smoky had acted with how he was now acting as The Cougar, it -would match well with a man playing a peaceful game of solitary and a -gambler dealing for his life with some hated enemy. - -The Cougar would of killed himself to get his man, he was past caring -for his own hide and only lived to hate, but even as strong as that -hate was, it was queer to see that he wasn't interested to do damage -only to the men that handled or tried to ride him. Maybe that was -because there was always so many around,--the grandstands was full of -people and it was the same around the shutes and corrals of the rodeo -grounds. Them crowds might of confused him to a standstill and sort of -made him keep neutral till only one or two come near. - -Another thing that might of fooled a few was the way The Cougar carried -his ears. Most every town person has noticed how some horses in the -city's streets have some kind of leather muzzles to keep 'em from -biting passing folks. Them horses have their ears back most of the -time and whenever somebody comes near, they have a mighty cranky look -too, but as a rule they're not as wicked as they look,--it's just that -they're tired of having everybody that goes by stop and try to feed 'em -peanuts or apples and such, or being petted and sometimes rubbed the -wrong way. Some horses' disposition can't stand it, and them few seem -to get so that they can't keep their ears forward and look pleasant any -time;--they're always laying 'em back and looking like they would do -some damage, but the most they would do if they had no muzzle would be -to maybe just nip a little hunk of hard-twist serge or a little silk -off different folks' arms. - -Like a feller says to me one time, "it's just that they're bored." - -The horse out on the range, no matter how mean he might be, hardly ever -puts his ears back at a human; when he does, it's only once in a coon's -age and only for the split of a second,--in the next split of that -second _something has happened_. - -The Cougar, being a sure enough range horse and with real mustang[4] -blood to boot carried his ears in the ways of that kind. He'd look at -a man thru the shute timbers and with his ears _straight ahead_, but -in them eyes under the shadow of them ears was a fair picture of what -would happen if that man ever stepped in that shute with him. It didn't -need no imagination to see it either. - -[Footnote 4: Of the early Spanish.] - -Never did The Cougar lay his ears back unless he was sure of his -victim. When he did there'd be an ambulance wagon racing thru the arena -and remarks in queer low tones passed by white faced folks up in the -grandstand, which all kept accumulating and piled up in The Cougar's -reputation as a bad horse. - - * * * * * - -A little bit of a freckle faced hombre who'd made the "grand finals" -was along the shute one day and "up" to ride The Cougar. He'd come -from acrost the border, and thru the first three days of the rodeo had -proved himself to be a "ranahan"[5] in bronc riding as well as in steer -roping. - -[Footnote 5: Top hand.] - -"By golly," he was heard to say as The Cougar was hazed into the -saddling shute, "I've come a long ways to get a setting at that pony." -He felt of his taped spurs to make sure they was there to stay, "and -if you watch close," he went on, grinning, "I'll give you all a few -lessons on how to play a tune with a spur rowel at the tip of a pony's -ears." - -The little "vaquero"[6] was feeling good, he hadn't been to town -for a year or more, and a chance to ride a mean horse where there -was folks around was a big change to him; barrel cactus and Spanish -dagger had been the only witnesses to his riding ability, and riding a -side-winding pony on dobie flats or high mesas wasn't so apt to bring -out the best in a rider as when in a nice arena where there's a band -playing and folks a cheering. - -[Footnote 6: Cowboy.] - -"There's a horse to my liking," he says as he took a look at The -Cougar. The way that pony was acting while being saddled didn't faze -the rider none at all, the grin on his face kept a spreading all the -wider as he made ready to climb the chute; he'd handled many a fighting -horse, and to him they all could do only one thing, and that was their -worst. - -As a true rider of the range he welcomed anything that'd test his skill -and ability, and if The Cougar had come straight up from hell, wore -horns, a forked tail, and cloven hoof, he'd of grinned all the more and -bet his year's earnings that he could send him back to where he came -with his tail between his legs and hollering "enough." - -"Rider up," hollered the hazer, but the judges was already watching, -for it was The Cougar "coming out." - -The cowboy let out a war whoop and grinned as the chute gate flew open -and The Cougar came "uncorked," he packed that grin past the judges and -at the same time "reefed" (spurred) the earth jarring outlaw with -_taped_ rowels from back of the ear to the back of the saddle skirts. - -"Yee-e-e-ep!" he howled, as the bellering Cougar left the earth once -more. A cloud of dust went up which kept the judges from seeing what -went on, but even if there'd been no dust they couldn't of followed -what all had happened, it had happened too fast. In the next particle -of time a twisting hunk of mouse colored horse flesh was tearing up -the arena towards the chutes and the fence along it. The cowboy was -still war whooping and fanning but he was to one side and being snapped -around like a whip lash. The Cougar had found his stride and, as usual, -was getting his man. - -The "pick up men" rode up to grab holt of the horse's head and before -the man was throwed, but they was just too late and in another second -something happened that made everybody in the grandstand turn pale -and hang on to each other, for the cowboy, still a fanning, was, by a -wicked jolt, loosened from his saddle and headed for the ground. The -Cougar reared up while the rider was still in the air, then turned, -and with ears back, teeth a flashing, hoofs a striking with lightning -speed, went to carry out his heart's cravings. - -[Illustration: The Cougar reared up while the rider was still in the -air, then turned, and with his ears back, teeth a flashing, hoofs a -striking with lightning speed, went to carry out his heart's craving.] - -The man was juggled up there for a second and then came down, the -horse, like the cougar he was, right after him and to finish what he'd -started. - -It was then that Providence or something seemed to interfere, for as -the rider came down and reached the earth he was on the other side of -the fence, which kept him from being totally reduced to dust. But even -with the fence separating, The Cougar wasn't thru. There was a noise -of splintering timbers as he tried to reach the cowboy, and it wasn't -till two ropes settled around his neck and pulled him away that it was -what you'd call ended. - -A few riders rushed up to find the cowboy setting up and shaking his -head like a trying to get back amongst the living. Pretty soon he -looked up at the men around him and a sort of vacant grin spread over -his features; then he looked at his clothes, noticed his shirt was most -tore off of him. He wrinkled his face as he moved his body and felt -kinks along his ribs and back, and looked at his hand-made rawhide -chaps which showed marks where hard hoofs had connected. The sight of -them made him grin again, and after a while he says: - -"Daggone good thing I had these chaps on or I'd be setting here and -going Adam one better." - -From that day on the freckle faced cowboy was, or tried to be, at every -rodeo and near whatever chute The Cougar honored by his presence. He'd -run up against a horse he couldn't ride; it was hard to take and he -couldn't get it into his head how it was done. He'd never seen a horse -he couldn't ride before, but there was more and which all kept the -cowboy to following the outlaw, the unnatural meanness of that pony had -him guessing, and he sort of wanted to figger it out while a setting on -top--_There_ was a horse that not only called for skill and nerve, but -the thinking ability of the pony was sure worth a trying to match. - -Winters and springs and falls found him on the range and doing his work -there, he was getting all kinds of good practice with his every day -work, and when summers come he was always on the trail of The Cougar -and with new hopes that he could go back to the range and tell his -"majordomo" that he "rode him, slick and clean and to a standstill." - -For two summers he followed him, in that time, competing with other -good riders, he'd had three chances at him and each time them chances -wound up with him hitting the ground, and running as he hit. - -"That horse sure means what he does," he was heard to say to one of the -riders one time, "and by golly that's just what makes me keep after -him." - - * * * * * - -Three more long summers of rodeo work went by, and The Cougar kept -on a challenging the world's best riders. Another spring came, more -rodeos was followed and where it was advertised that "The Cougar Will -be Present." The posters went on a telling how in five years time no -rider had been able to set the horse till the gun was fired, and as the -cowboys remarked, "That was one truthful statement." - -Smoky kept on a throwing men right and left that spring and on thru -the summer. He kept his record and back clean that way till away along -towards the fall, and then one day at the start of another rodeo, a -cowboy from the Wyoming country, and who'd come south for the winter, -happened to hear of the doings. A couple of days later that bronc -fighter showed himself at the rodeo headquarters, and remarking how -he'd heard of The Cougar, signed his name and entered on bronc riding. - -He qualified and went thru the "tryouts" and "semi-finals" like it all -was so much play. The Cougar was a horse kept for the finals only, and -that's the pony the cowboy had been trying to reach, the others he'd -had to ride had only been a means for him to get to The Cougar. - -He'd easy won the right to ride that horse, and also the chance to win -the thousand dollars that was up for any rider that could. He hung -around the chute and mighty close the next afternoon. Soon the time -would come for him to really try his ability, and while waiting he -was using that time to seeing that the latigoes and cinch had no weak -spots, and would be able to stand the strain of staying around the -middle of that Cougar horse. - -Then the judges hollered out his name as the next rider out, and about -that time the mouse colored outlaw peeked thru the bars of the chute at -him and snorted, the rider whistled at the sight of the mean looking -head, and, grinning a little, remarked: - -"I got a hunch that this pony is going to be totally different than any -horse I ever rode, but here goes, and I got to wish myself luck." - -[Illustration: About that time the mouse colored outlaw peeked thru the -bars of the chute at him and snorted.] - -"You'll need lots of that," says one of the cowboys. - -The saddle was on, the cinch reached for and drawed up to stay, and -then the rider climbed over the poles of the chute and took his seat -on a back that'd throwed the country's best riders. He pulled the rope -rein up just tight enough, worked his feet ahead a little, and setting -back some to sort of meet the first jolt. He took off his hat, layed -all the balance he could in it, and then hollered: - -"We're coming out." - -"Coming out" was right, but "shot out" would of been more fitting in -that case; anyway, the judges hardly seen either the horse or the man -till both was _out there_, and both a fighting to win.--There was a -mighty big surprise showing on all the faces around when as the first -big cloud of dust cleared, it was noticed the rider was still _up -there_, and what's more, all indicated that he was going to stay there. - -The judges was a setting on their horses, and pop-eyed with the miracle -of the performance looked on petrified. Such a rider on such a horse -was seldom seen, and they was so all took up with the goings on, they -didn't notice that the rider had rode past the limit, and forgot to -fire the gun marking the end of the ride, then somebody hollered and -jarred 'em out of the trance they was in. - -[Illustration: He wasn't caring right then if it was said that he -didn't ride the horse to the finish.] - -The shot was fired, and the report had no more than died down when -the rider seemed to quit from there and fell off the horse,--the -punishment he'd took in that ride had been enough to do him for many a -day to come. He'd felt like his backbone was going to be pushed thru -his throat from the first jump, and that feeling had kept a repeating -right along with each fast coming jolt till he was near unconscious. -Being the rider he was, he stuck there and tried to fight away the -dizzy feeling and keep track of the horse at the same time; then after -what seemed an hour, he heard a faint echo of the shot, and realized -in a way that he'd qualified for first money. _He'd been the first man -to ride that horse past the judges_, and that was enough,--he wasn't -caring right then if it would be said that he didn't ride the horse to -the finish. - -One of the riders who knowed The Cougar _mighty well_ had watched the -horse "come out" with the same thrill that'd always been his at that -time. He'd seen the pony come out many a time before, and as that last -performance came to an end, he leaned over to one of the boys near him, -and says: - -"Do you know, it strikes me like The Cougar is beginning to fade out as -a bucking horse. I don't think that pony's been keeping up his standard -the last few times he's been rode, and specially this last time.--If -that cowboy who's just left him had straddled him last summer, I'm sure -and certain that he wouldn't of stuck as long as he did." - -"Well, I've been sort of noticing that too, and figgered the horse -had slowed down some," agrees the other rider, "but that's got to be -expected, considering that The Cougar's been in the arenas for going on -six years now--I don't see, myself, how them legs of his has been able -to stand the strain _that_ long." - -Them remarks was true,--nothing was meant against the cowboy who'd been -the first to stick him past the judges; and as them words was said -they meant just that, with no hint that _they_ could of done the same, -and what's more, other cowboys had noticed the same what these two had -spoke of. The Cougar was beginning to slow down,--but that last would -maybe give some idea of what a bucking horse The Cougar really was, _or -had been_. - -That pony slowing down that way begin to be noticed more and more every -time he was rode. The little vaquero from acrost the border went back -satisfied that fall: he'd been the second man to _ride_ The Cougar, -and when the last rodeo of the year had been pulled off The Cougar had -been rode twice more, _and to a finish_. The folks in the grandstands -was surprised, and come to the conclusion that he wasn't so much of a -bucking horse after all, but they didn't realize.--Anyway, the thousand -dollar purse that'd been offered for anyone who could ride him had -dwindled down to five hundred, and The Cougar was fast losing the -reputation he'd made as a man-hating bucking horse. - -Even his hate for the human had seemed to die down. He'd throwed a -rider one day who'd landed right in front of him; the crowd had held -their breath, expecting to see that cowboy mangled to pieces right -before their eyes. All that would of happened, and mighty quick a year -or so before, but this time the outlaw didn't seem to notice the man. -He'd bucked on right over him and seeming like careful how he placed -his hoofs as he'd went so as to miss him.--There was murmurs in the -grandstand afterwards that The Cougar was no outlaw at all, maybe just -a pet and trained to buck, and like his man killing reputation, which -was most likely only a sort of a draw card and advertising for the -rodeo. - -But whatever the folks in the grandstand thought, Smoky had reasons of -his own for gradually getting away from being The Cougar. It wasn't -that his legs was getting stove up or giving away on him so much as -the way things had come to him as year after year he met up with the -strange riders that'd come to try him, and even tho none of 'em seemed -to want a _close acquaintance_ with him, there was nothing about them -boys for the hate he was packing to feed on. - -Not once, since that day he'd bogged his head in front of the first -grandstand, had a club, nor even a twig, ever been layed on him. For -the first couple of years, Smoky had let the heart the halfbreed had -transplanted in him, control his actions. The poison of hate in that -heart had kept him from noticing or go according to the good treatment -he'd been getting, and it was close on to the fifth year before his -ears begin to perk up to the show of admiration and respect that was -handed him from all around. - -The name of The Cougar lived on for a spell, but the horse that had -been packing that name was fast getting away from having the right to -such.--Then the next spring came and with it rodeos begin to be pulled -off here and there, good riders begin following The Cougar again as -before, and with the hopes that some day, sometime or other, they'd be -able to pull their riggins off that pony's back and be able to say: - -"I rode him." - -But long before middle summer come, them hopes had died down in many of -the boys, for The Cougar wasn't The Cougar no more. Them fast, crooked, -and hard hitting jumps of his, and which had jarred the thoughts and -balance out of so many a good rider, had died down, and put the horse -as an average with the other bucking horses. Rider after rider forked -him, and sorta disappointed, had rode and fanned him easy enough, where -a year or so before no fanning had been required to qualify. - -The Cougar kept a bucking on and on every time he was saddled, and he -was rode thru to the finish oftener and oftener till finally, no rider -was ever throwed no more, not from that pony's back. - -The heart of The Cougar was shriveling up and leaving space for the -heart that was Smoky's, and that heart, even tho older and weaker was -making a mighty strong stand, and steady coming back. - -Soon, there came a time when the mouse colored outlaw didn't have to -be handled from a distance no more; no high corral was needed for -protection against his teeth and hoofs, and like most of the other -buckers he could be led from the stock car to the rodeo grounds without -any other ropes holding him back, and away from the man that was -leading him. - -Then one day, a rider brought in a big raw-boned grey, remarking that -"_here_ was an outlaw," and an outlaw he was, sure enough. From his -Roman nose on up to his sunk, dead looking eyes, and taking in his -lantern jaws on to his thick neck and along with the rest of him, all -indicated the _natural_ outlaw, but what made him as a most valuable -horse for the rodeos, was in the how he could buck; that's all he -knowed, and like all natural outlaws that way, that's all he wanted to -know. - -Right away, he was called "The Grey Cougar," the same as to try and -bring back the real Cougar. But there was no comparing the grey outlaw -with The Cougar, not when that last one had meant business. To begin -with, the grey horse was mean only because it was his natural instinct -to be that way, he didn't have the special ambition nor the brains that -The Cougar had. With the grey it was just jug headed orneriness, and in -no way could he compete with the mouse colored man killer, but he made -a fine outlaw just the same, a second best that'd do. - -He managed to buck a few men off from the start, and right then is -when the Old Cougar begin sliding into the background, for it'd been -quite a spell since that pony had made a man ride for his money.--The -appearance of the grey outlaw had kinda marked the downhill start for -Smoky's career as a bucking horse, and then one day the end came sure -enough, and in a few minutes. - -As usual, The Cougar was announced to the crowd, and them in the -grandstand who'd often heard but never seen that wicked pony in action -was naturally mighty interested as that notorious horse made his -appearance in the saddling chute. Many in the crowd had seen him buck -before, and some of them stopped breathing for a spell and while the -gate was opened, most anything was expected, from that horse, and all -of them that looked on felt sure of seeing something that'd come up to -their expectations, and then some. - -The gate was opened, and out came a streak of a mouse colored horse -with a cowboy on top, and The Cougar, that famous outlaw, lined out -acrost the ground _on a long lope_. - - * * * * * - -Anywheres, and in any line, very little respect is ever showed for -a "has been." If The Cougar had fought and tore things up as he'd -once had, all would of been hunkydory, and the crowd would all been -satisfied, but the horse had come to the end of his fighting streak. -Not a jump was left in him, for the Smoky heart had growed over and -smothered the heart that'd been The Cougar's. He was a "has been" and -only willing to be the plain behaving Smoky again. - -The crowd was disappointed, they felt they wasn't getting their money's -worth, and there was hollers of "take him away and hook him up on a -milk wagon," or "sell him for a lady's saddle horse," and so on.--It -was queer, but only natural, to notice that them loud mouth remarks was -passed only by the most useless, and of the kind that's plum helpless -whenever away from their home grounds. Others hollered more to kind of -show off, but the looks they'd get from the sensible folks around only -went to prove that the show off was of just plain _ignorance_. - -The cowboy rode The Cougar till the other side of the grounds was -reached. There he stopped him and climbed off, and hearing the hurrahs -from the grandstand, he touched the horse on the neck and says: - -"Never mind, old horse, you've done yours--and I'd liked mighty well if -I could of turned you loose amongst that bunch that's making all that -noise up there, and watch 'em scatter,--but you're not fighting any -more." - -The rodeo was on its last day, the prizes was handed out that night, -and the next morning the bucking horses was loaded in the stock cars on -the way for some other town where another rodeo was going to be pulled -off. In them box cars there was one place where The Cougar had stood -while on the road, but this time, and in that same place was a grey -horse who snorted as the train begin to move--The Cougar had been left -behind, and from the inside of the stock yards watched the train pull -out of sight. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - - "A MANY-MEN HORSE" - - -The Cougar being he was useless for rodeo purposes, had been sold to -the livery stable man for twenty-five dollars. - -It was figgered that at least twenty-five dollars worth of use would -be got out of him there,--the horse was fat and strong looking, could -be broke to harness, and made to do his share with any of the six and -eight horse teams which was kept on the road acrost the deserts as -freight teams. - -But one day, and before the harness ever disgraced The Cougar's hide, -a bunch of tourists had flocked into town to stay for a spell, and one -of the crowd suggested a little horseback riding. The livery stable man -was at once swamped with orders for saddle horses, and before he got -thru tallying up how many he could furnish, he found he was short of -about three. By scouting around, he dug up two more, but he was still -short one, and then his eye fell on the mouse colored horse. - -At first, he was for overlooking that horse entirely, but as he needed -one more to finish up the party, he couldn't very well afford to -overlook any horse that might do. He caught the horse and saddled him, -and scared but game, he got in the saddle. If that pony still had one -jump left in him, it was up to that old boy to find out, and one jump -from _that horse_ would be that much too many. He'd never do for no -tourist then. - -But The Cougar never even humped up as he was rode around the stable -corrals. The man's legs begin to quit shaking, and as he sat there, his -face gradually turned from blank white to natural color again, and then -he begin to grin and show pleasant surprise as he noticed how well the -horse reined whichever way was wanted. - -"By japers," he remarked to the stable door, "this feller is a real -saddle horse." - -So, when the tourists, all togged up in their shiny riding habits, -appeared some time later, the stable man was all ready and waiting for -'em. He sized 'em all up as to which would get along with each horse -best, and being he was still dubious as to what The Cougar might do, he -looked 'em all over careful once more till the strongest and most able -looking young man in the bunch was spotted. - -The Cougar's reins was handed to him, and sort of cautious, he asked: - -"I suppose you know how to ride well?" - -That young man turned on him, surprised at such a question, and -answered sarcastic: - -"Why certainly." - -The stable man grinned as he watched him and all ride up the street; -"Why certainly," he says to himself, and grinned some more. "I hope -he's just as _certain_ on his riding when he gets back." - -It was evening before the party, slouching all over their horses, -returned to the stable. The stable man smiled, satisfied, as he noticed -that the young feller, not at all mussed up, was still riding The -Cougar. He'd been worried about letting that young feller have the -horse, but everything was o. k. now and the folks seemed to've all -enjoyed their ride considerable, and so well that they wanted the -horses again for the next day. - -"This is a very fine horse," says the young feller as he got off The -Cougar. There was all about him that as much as went on to say, "Why -certainly I can ride." - -The stable man had seen many like him, and knowed exactly _how well_ he -could ride, but he was relieved in learning that The Cougar had behaved -so well. - -"And what's this horse's name?" asks the young feller. - -For a minute the stable man done some tall thinking; if the horse's -real name was given out, the young feller would sure swell up and bust -in learning that he'd rode the famous outlaw nobody else had been -able to ride for so long, and even tho the horse hadn't made a single -jump with him, his "_certainly_" would get more conceited than ever. -And then again, he maybe wouldn't want the horse any more. So after -hesitating a while he finally came onto a new name for the horse. - -"Cloudy, is that horse's name," he says. - -That name sounded sort of pleasing all around, and it fitted the color -of the pony mighty well, but then the good points for it would never -loom up like the name of Smoky had in the cow country to the north, -nor would it ever be mentioned about from state to state and give -thrills just at the sound like the name of The Cougar had often done; -but then again that horse wasn't the same no more,--he'd went from top -cowhorse, to champion bucking horse and all around outlaw, only to fade -away in a livery stable, and there for every Tom, Dick, and Harry to -ride as they pleased. Cloudy, was just a livery plug. - - * * * * * - -As a raw bronc and then cowhorse, Smoky had been for learning all that -could be learned. As The Cougar and outlaw, he'd been for killing and -disfiguring every man that gave him the chance. There'd been something -that called on him to do his best while on the Rocking R range, and -there he went to the top as a cowhorse. Something else, and very -different, had stirred his interest while in the arena of the rodeo -grounds; he'd shined there as a fighting outlaw, and in a way that'd -made all the others seem to be out of sight. - -He'd had something big to work for, both on the range and in the arena, -but now it seemed like as the big livery stable doors closed on him -after his first day of use there, that the end of his string had come, -he'd sort of felt it in a way, soon as the last car of the bucking -horses he'd been with went and disappeared over the skyline. He hadn't -tried to get away, or even snorted when the stable man came in the -corral where he'd been left, and led him out. - -He'd followed the man to the big stable, and as he was kept there, he -found nothing about the place nor the folks around that suggested -anything worth while working for. He was just a horse _there_, a plug -that could be rented by the hour or day, and even tho all seemed -strange and new compared to what he'd been used to, there was nothing -in the goings on which could put a spark in his eye. - -Maybe it was that his heart was growing old, but anyway, and after -getting acquainted some with the place, the pony sort of took things -as they come without snorting out his opinions. He was fast getting -past caring,--his main interest in life soon begin to be only for the -manger of hay and the little grain that was fed him when the day's work -was done. One day the stable man came and curried him, that was a new -experience for the horse; never had a curry comb ever touched his hide -before. Somehow he didn't mind it, and then come a time when the feel -of that performance was looked forward to, it felt near as good as a -good roll in the dirt. The currying, his feed of grain, a rest, and to -be left alone, had got to be the remains of the mouse colored pony's -ambitions. - -But he had to work, and earn what hay and care was handed him, he -didn't mind working, but all this aimless chasing around he was took -out to do most every day wasn't at all to that pony's liking. He'd -been broke to doing something useful, and which _had_ to be done. -Afterwards, and with his bucking, there was a reason, but with these -_equestrians_, as they was called, they didn't seem to know themselves -what they wanted to do, or where they wanted to go. They'd just wander -around and handle him with a rein in each hand like he was a plow -horse. They'd run him up and down streets where the ground was hard -on his feet, and let him walk where the going was soft and level. It -was no wonder that the end of the day, and the stall at the stable was -looked forward to so much. - -Never before had that horse appreciated his night's rests as he was -now doing. He'd near close his eyes for the peace he'd feel then, and -eat his hay and grain slow, the same as tho he was fearing that as -soon as it was gone, he'd have to be out again, and going. There'd be -a short spell thru the night when he'd close his eyes all the way, and -his tired mind, like his tired body, would be at rest, and then after -a while, when his eyes would open again, he'd clean up what little hay -he'd left the night before, and that way, gather all the strength he -could for the day's work that was soon to begin. - -Near every morning, early, a grey haired man, and sort of stout around -the middle, would come. A little "pancake" saddle with flapping iron -stirrups, would be put on the pony's back, and after a lot of hard work -and puffing, the equestrian would finally get up and on the horse, and -the early morning ride would begin. - -The man was heavy, and set his saddle mighty awkward, but with all his -weight and awkwardness, and as Cloudy got acquainted some with the man, -he finally sort of took a liking for him. That one seemed to know where -he wanted to go, and when he got there, even tho it was no place in -perticular, the old feller would always get down off of him, sometimes -he'd talk to him, and Cloudy would listen,--it didn't matter if he -couldn't make heads or tails of what the talk was about, he just liked -the sound of his voice. - -Them morning rides was always on the outside of town, up some canyon -or lane, and Cloudy felt better at them places, besides, he never was -rushed, and if he was put into a trot or a lope, it was done proper and -in a way both man and horse enjoyed. Seldom would any sweat ever show -after the ride was over and the stable was reached again. - -But the day's work would be just beginning for Cloudy, and the stable -was no more than got into sight, when saddles would be changed and -another person, fresh, and aching for a _jaunt_, would get on him and -start out on another ride. When he'd be brought back at noon, he'd just -have time to eat his grain, when another equestrian would darken the -stable door, and ask for Cloudy. - -"I enjoy riding that horse so, don't you know." - -Everybody preferred Cloudy to any horse the stable man had, and being -that feller wasn't running that business for his health, he rented him -out every chance he got, and fed him an extra feed of grain so the -horse could stand up under the work. Sometimes that horse would be rode -till away into the night, then brought in dripping with sweat and often -staggering. But the next day his work went on just the same. - -Folks of all ages, sizes, built, and packing from none to a big amount -of brains, came and rode Cloudy. Once in a while he'd be handled right -and like it was known that a horse has feelings, and brains, but most -of the time, his feelings wasn't at all considered, no thought would -be given that the horse might of already went a long ways, or that he -might be tired. But amongst all that rode him, the boys was the worst, -and fast running the old pony downhill and towards the end. - -The most of 'em would start the horse on a high lope, and from the time -they got on him till he was brought back, that high lope, instead of -being let up on, would most always wind up into a high run. Up and down -the side streets they'd race him, loan him to other boys to race him -some more, and each would do their best to show off on how fast they -could make the tired horse go. - -There was times as the spur, a quirt was layed on the old horse, to -make him go faster; when The Cougar heart which had died in him near -showed signs of coming back to life again, but the pony's spirit had -dwindled down as the years accumulated, and he couldn't back the way -he felt. He was weary both in mind and body, and no chance was ever -given him so as to let either rest, and if once in a while the heart of -The Cougar did make a try at coming back it wasn't for long, the flame -would only sputter and go out, and another wrap with the quirt would -only make him try to do his best once again, as just plain Cloudy, the -livery stable plug. - -The boys, girls, and grown ups kept a setting on the old horse, and -not knowing, but sure and steady was riding and dragging him down to -a death that'd be away ahead of the time when it should come--They'd -compared well with a pack of wolves, for like that kind, none of 'em -would ever wanted to come within a hundred yards of the horse when he -was up and a fighting. None of 'em would ever dreamed of wanting to -set on his back when he was The Cougar and hankering to fight and kill, -but now, and at last he was down, there was no fight in him no more, -and like the pack of wolves they compared so well with, they all closed -in on him. - -The only difference was, the wolf pack killed their victim quick, they -don't leave the life drag on for days, weeks and months, nor let the -victim suffer to finally die slow and by degrees--Then again, the wolf -killed to eat and live. - -But there was no blame ever attached to these human wolves who was -killing the horse only for the pleasure they'd get in riding him, and -the fine exercise that went with it, most of 'em meant well--Only they -didn't know. Cloudy, always true in whatever he done, was so willing, -no jab of the spur was needed to make him go, and his willingness to -do his best that way, was often if not always mistaken, and took for -granted that he was feeling good and rearing to go. - -They didn't know the difference between a tired, wore out horse and one -that's fresh and fit to be rode--Then again, there was many who never -stopped to realize, to them, a horse was just a horse, and they didn't -know nothing about horses--That kind figgered a horse to be like an -automobile, always able to go and as fast as was wanted, and instead of -stepping on the gas like is done with a car, just give the horse the -whip, and that way keep him right on a going. - - * * * * * - -A winter came and scattered the bright fall days four ways. The coming -of the long, cold winter, along with the raw winds that swept down from -the divide, brought to the folks around a dread of the dreary months -that was to follow; them folks wasn't for enjoying being out much any -more, and instead found a lot of comfort in being where there was a -roof over their heads, and a fire roaring between the four walls. - -The tourists had all left, and scattered back to where they came. "The -town was dead," and many heads was got together a trying to figger ways -to break the monotony that'd took hold of the community. For two weeks -a cold wind had blowed down off the mountain and once in a while would -bring along light flakes of snow that kept a skipping and never seemed -to light.--The weather was cussed at by some, while others kept busy -bringing in wood and coal, and not any had a good word put in for Old -Man Winter, not any excepting one, and that one was only an old livery -stable plug. - -That old plug couldn't of said anything anyway, but he done better, he -_felt_ what he couldn't say. He felt that the coming of winter that way -and the evaporating of the tourists and the others, as it came, was -all that saved what little life he had left. There was saddle sores on -his back, and he'd got to where there was nothing to him but a rack of -bones on which a hide hung,--that hide was faded from many a sweating, -and in spots the hair had wore off and left it bare. His weary legs -near buckled under him, and was hardly able to pack the weight he'd -reduced to, and another couple of weeks more the old pony would of -been done for--he'd long ago been going on his nerve, and that had been -fast wearing out on him. - -But now, it looked like Old Man Winter had come just in time and saved -him from the bone pile. There'd been two weeks when the cold winds -howled, whistled thru the cracks of the stable and shook it, and in -them two weeks, the old horse had recuperated some till he was able to -listen to the howling wind and feel the while that no equestrian would -be showing up to interrupt the rest he was needing so bad. - -Every person around wondered when that awful wind was going to stop, -but with Cloudy, and if he could of, he'd wished that wind would last -forever. It'd got to be sweet music to his ears, and he dozed to his -heart's content only to be woke up out of his dream to stare at a fresh -forkful of hay once in a while. Then he'd eat a spell, listen to the -wind some more, and on the sound of it, go to dozing again. May be -dreaming of a winter range, somewheres, and far away. Pecos is by him -maybe, while he dreams, then other ponies of the Rocking R, and on a -ridge watching him is Clint--the only real friend he'd ever knowed. - -The winter months wore on and Cloudy begin to look like a horse again; -then spring come, and the air that came with it got the folks to -wanting to be out. One day the gray haired gent who'd rode Cloudy in -mornings of the summer before showed up again and was picked on as one -steady customer for the pony; then a few days later a young lady came -to the stable who "just loved horses," and asked if she could get -Cloudy every afternoon and whenever the weather was fit to ride in. - -The stable man let her have the horse once and noticing what good care -she'd took of him, figgered her as another steady customer for the -old horse. With her and the grey haired man showing up every day he -allowed how that would be enough work for him, and none of the other -equestrians ever got a chance to set on that horse from then on. - -A few years before, and if Cloudy had been the kind of a horse folks -would want to ride, that pony would of been able to take on a couple -more equestrians and stand up under the work easy enough, but now, he -was getting too old for much more riding, and the stable man realizing -that, was trying to make him last as long as he could. But Cloudy -was getting stiff mighty fast along the shoulders and front legs, he -couldn't reach out no more in the same stride that'd been his, and -instead, whenever a front foot touched the ground for another step, it -was like he was placing it on needles, and careful so as not to jar his -shoulders and the rest of his body any more than he could help. - -There was times when he felt like he wanted to split the breeze the -same as he used to, but that feeling was mostly in his heart, and his -old legs couldn't follow up. Them old legs had hit the ground too hard, -too many times and jarred too many riders out of the saddle at the -rodeos where he'd performed as a bucking horse. Then the first year of -livery stable work where he was jammed around on the town's hard and -rocky streets put the kibosh on him for fair. The old tendons had been -called on to do too much. - -But neither the old gent nor the young lady that was riding him every -day noticed the stiffness crawling up on the old horse. He still went, -and he still seemed willing to go some more, and far as they could tell -he was as good as any four year old. Both took care of him so well that -no hint ever came to either of 'em that they was riding an old horse -what had along ago earned freedom and a rest for what few years was -still his to live. - -Every afternoon the girl came, her pockets loaded down with lumps of -sugar, and refusing help, saddled Cloudy and headed him for a trail -from where the scenery around could be seen and well. She'd pet him on -the neck and run her fingers thru his mane, and talk while the pony, -given plenty of time, would pick his way thru the rocks and brush. -She'd let him rest often while in the steepest climbs, and sometimes -would get out of the saddle so as to give him a better chance. At them -times, she'd reach in the pocket of her white riding habit and get a -few lumps of the sugar she'd brought for him. - -Cloudy hadn't been much for sugar when it was first introduced to him. -He'd sniffed and snorted at the white lump, but the young lady had kept -it under his nose till he finally nibbled at it. It didn't taste so -bad, and he'd nibbled at it again, and some more, till came a time as -the girl kept a feeding it to him right along he'd got to looking for -it. He'd even stop sometimes, look back at her while she was on him, -and make it mighty plain that he wanted another one of them white -lumps, and when she was by him on the ground he kept a trying to stick -his nose in her pockets and reaching for 'em. He knowed where she -carried it. - -What a surprise it would of been for the cowboys who knowed Cloudy when -he was The Cougar, the man killer, to've seen him in the act of bumming -a young lady for sugar that way, and what a surprise it would of been -for that same young lady to've learned that not so very long ago that -horse would of took her hand and snapped it off at the wrist if that -hand had ever come to within reaching distance. - -It would of been a surprise sure enough, and afterwards, she'd -figgered the horse being mean that way would of been on account of -rough treatment by some one,--she'd been right, even if that some one -was only a scrub of a degenerate halfbreed and not fit to be classed -amongst humans. Without him coming into the life of that pony there -wouldn't of been no such a horse as The Cougar, and he'd still be known -around to the northern country as Smoky, the best cowhorse that ever -busted a critter. - -But anyway, and whatever had been in the past of the horse that was now -better known as Cloudy, didn't worry the young lady any. To her he was -"the sweetest horse" she'd ever seen, and she kept a supplying him with -sugar. If she knowed that lumps of sugar wasn't the best thing there is -to feed to a horse, she'd filled her pockets with a handful or so of -grain instead, or something that's more fitting to a horse's stomach -that way, but she didn't know, and she sure meant well. - -Fine warm spring days came, the kind of days when folks and animals -alike hunt for a place where the sun shines the best. The last storm of -the season had left, and as it went the last of Cloudy's rest had come -to an end. That pony was rearing to go (as best as he could) when the -young lady came and saddled him one bright afternoon, and as she'd been -cooped up considerable herself, her spirits more than agreed with that -of the horse. - -Out of the stable old Cloudy went, his legs hardly feeling the -stiffness that was in 'em, and seeming like his hoofs was more for -flying and not at all for touching the ground. The old pony acted like -he wanted to go so bad that the girl didn't have the heart to hold him -back, besides the stable man had told her one time that it wouldn't -hurt to let him run once in a while, if for a short ways, so, leaning -ahead on her saddle, she let the horse go. - -Cloudy et up the distance and brought up sudden changes of scenery as -mile after mile was covered and left behind. With the warming up of the -run, the stiffness went out of his legs, he felt near young again, and -was taking the steep hills more like a four year old than the old stove -up horse he was. Sweat begin a dripping from him, and as the gait was -kept up, that sweat turned to a white lather. - -His whole hide was soaked and steaming from the heat of his body, but -he kept right on a wanting to go, and like the girl, the excitement of -the run had got a holt of him till neither realized they was carrying -a good thing too far. The girl's hair was flying in the breeze that -was stirred, she'd lost her hat, but she wasn't caring. To be going and -splitting up some more of that breeze had got to the girl's head, and -cheeks flushed and a smiling she was sure getting a heap of joy out of -just being alive and a going. - -The trail followed along a stream and up a canyon; it kept a getting -steeper and steeper, and the old horse begin to breathe harder and -harder, till finally, his wide open nostrils couldn't take on enough -air to do him no more. He had to slow down or else drop in his tracks, -but Cloudy didn't slow down, and not a sign showed on him that he was -wanting to. He was the kind of a horse that never quit and would keep -right on a going till his heart stopped. - -The girl, not at all realizing, kept a riding and enjoying the fast -pace for all she was worth. She might of rode the old pony to his death -that afternoon, only, the trail stopped and she couldn't follow it no -further. It had washed out during the spring thaw, and a place ten feet -wide and as deep had cut the trail in two. - -She stopped there, and coming out of the trance the fast ride had put -her in, she started looking for a place to cross, but there wasn't any, -and the only way left was to go back on the trail she'd come. - -She put her hand on Cloudy's neck like to tell him how it was "too -bad the trail stopped short that way" but she never got to say the -words--The feel of the sweat and lather that covered the horse left her -dumb, and then she noticed how hard he was breathing. - -The thrill of the run had turned to sudden worry and fear for what she -might of done, and another sort of excitement took a holt of her as she -realized and then wondered what to do. She stepped away from the horse -and wide eyed looked at him, she'd never seen a horse shake and quiver -all over like that one was doing, he seemed like hardly able to stand -up, rocked back and forth like he was going to keel over any minute. -Cloudy was "jiggered"[7] and his staggering scared her all the more. -She must do something, and quick. - -[Footnote 7: Overrun.] - -The first thing that came to her was to try and cool him off before, -as she figgered, he fainted from being overheated. She tore at the -saddle and worked at the latigos till it was loosened, then she pulled -it off and with the blanket throwed it to the ground. Steam raised off -the pony's back, and at the sight of that the girl got excited all the -more. Then she spotted the mountain stream below and just a little ways. - -She led the horse careful and over to it, and then, thinking steady of -quick ways to cool the horse off, she figgered it a good idea to lead -him in the water and where it was the deepest. She skipped from boulder -to boulder till finally a place was found where the water came up above -the pony's knees, and there she let him stand, while with her cupped -hands she splashed the cold snow water on his chest, shoulders, and -back. - -A half an hour or so of that, and the horse at last quit quivering, -showed signs that he was cooled off and got his breath all o. k. again. -After a while he drank, and then drank some more, and the girl watching -him felt sure that the worst was over and that the horse was saved. -She smiled, petted him on the neck, and felt relieved at the natural -way he'd got to acting again. - -The sun was hitting for the tall peaks to the west when the girl -finally decided Cloudy was all right again and fit to start back. He -was good and dry by then and felt cool; she'd kept him in the shade all -the while, and being that mountain shade is not at all warm at that -time of the year, the old pony was near shivering from the cold by the -time the girl led him back to the saddle and put it on him again. - -The ride back to the stable was like a funeral march as compared with -the one starting out, the horse was kept on a slow walk all the way, -and every care was taken by the girl so that only the easiest trail -was followed; she worried as she rode along and noticed that the horse -didn't seem to be the same as before, his step wasn't so sure and he'd -stumble when there was nothing on the ground for him to stumble on, and -then he'd sway like he was weak. - -It was away after dark when finally the stable was reached, the stable -man was there and waiting, and greeting the young lady with a smile he -asked: - -"Did you water Cloudy before you left?" - -"No," says the girl, "but I watered him on the mountain where I turned -to come back." - -"The reason I asked, is because the new stable boy I hired forgot to -water him this morning, or he thought _I_ did." - - * * * * * - -The grey haired man didn't get to ride Cloudy the next day, nor did -anybody else, for that horse was hardly able to even get out of the -stall; his legs was like so many sticks of wood and with no more bend -in 'em than them same sticks have. His head hung near to the ground, -and not a spear of the hay that'd been put in the manger had been -touched. - -The girl came to the stable that noon, and would of cried at the sight -of him, only the stable man came up, and she held the tears back best -as she could. - -"Looks like he's done for," says that feller as he came up. He didn't -ask the girl what she'd done, cause a look at the horse told him the -whole story better than the girl could of, and as he figgered, a -man has to take them chances when he's renting horses out that way, -besides, the girl looked so downhearted about it that he didn't have -the heart to do any more but try to cheer her up. - -"I'll doctor him up the best I can, and maybe get him to come out of it -a little." - -The girl took hopes at them words, and her eyes a shining, asked: - -"And can I come and help you?" - -Every day from then on the time the girl had used a riding Cloudy was -spent in the stable and by that horse. Liniments and medicines of all -kinds was dug up and bought and used, and as the stable man watched -her trying to do her best, he'd only shake his head. He knowed it was -no use, and if the horse did come out of it, he'd never come out of it -enough to ever be of any use as a saddle horse again. - -The horse had been foundered.--The twenty-four hours without water, -the hard run and sweating up, and then cooled off sudden in ice cold -water, and drinking his fill of that same water, and all at once, had -crippled him and stoved him up in a way where he'd be plum useless only -maybe for slow work and hooked to a wagon. - -A month went by, and the doctoring went on, the girl always a hoping, -and then one day she came to the stable to find the horse gone. She -hunted up the stable man and finally, after a lot of running around, -found him up in the hay loft. - -"I figgered," says that feller on finding himself cornered, "that it'd -be best to turn him loose. There's good range up north a ways and -thinking it'd do him more good to be loose that way on good feed, I -just took him up there." - -But there was no good range in that country, not for many miles. -The stable man had lied to save the girl's feelings,--and instead, -realizing that he couldn't turn the horse loose only maybe to let him -starve, and being he couldn't afford to keep and feed a useless horse, -there'd been only one way out. He'd sold him to a man who bought old -horses and killed 'em for chicken feed. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - - "DARK CLOUDS, THEN TALL GRASS" - - -The man collecting old wore out and crippled horses had come along and -led him away. He had a little salt-grass pasture a short distance out -of town, and there's where he took the old horse. He turned him loose -amongst a few more old horses, and would keep him there till the time -come when some "chicken man" around town would need the carcass of one -of the horses to feed to his chickens; then the horse what looked like -it had the shortest to live would be killed and hauled away. - -It didn't look like the end was very far for the mouse colored horse. -All the work he'd done and the interest he'd had while under the names -of Smoky and The Cougar, had stopped being accounted for and sort of -pinched out under the name of Cloudy, and now he had no name. He was -just "chicken feed," and soon, if he stayed in that pasture, all what -he'd been and done would be blotted out with the crack of a rifle shot. - -But the old pony had no hint of that, and as it was he wasn't for -quitting as yet. His old stiff legs was still able to carry him around -some, the doctoring he'd got at the stable had helped him more than -what had been hoped, and then getting out in a pasture where he could -keep moving around as he wanted to was helping him some more. Besides, -his old heart was still strong, quite a bit solid meat was covering his -ribs, and with the salt and wire grass to graze on he could still make -out and mighty well. - -A few weeks went by when once in a while and every few days, one of the -old horses he was pasturing with, was caught, led out, a rifle shot was -heard, and he'd never be seen no more. Other old horses was brought in -and they'd pasture on with him till one by one they'd also disappear -only to be replaced by more of 'em. - -The old mouse colored horse must of looked like he was good to live for -a long time yet; anyway, the "chicken horse" man had kept him, maybe -for emergency, and so he wouldn't be out of horses if an order for one, -and that kind was hard to get. - -Then one day, a man came, looked all the old horses over. And finally, -like he'd decided, pointed a finger towards the horse that'd last been -known as Cloudy. That pony was caught and led out the same way other -horses had disappeared, but no rifle shot was heard. Instead, a lot of -parleying went on. - -Cloudy was led alongside of an old bony something that'd once been a -horse, the old rack of bones was hooked onto a light wagon and seeming -like hardly able to stand as the eyes of the two men went from him to -Cloudy, to sort of figger out which of the two was worth the most, and -_how much_ the most. - -Finally the dickering came to an end and seemed like agreeable to both -parties. Three dollars to boot was handed, and the trade was made. The -rack of bones was unhooked, the harness pulled off of him, and turned -loose in the chicken horse pasture. Then Cloudy's old heart missed a -few beats as that same harness was picked up again and throwed over his -own back. - -As true a saddle horse, and once hard to set on, as the mouse colored -horse had been, the feel of that harness on his back was as much the -same as if a shovel or a hayfork had been handed to a cowpuncher with -the idea of his using 'em. The old horse felt it a plain disgrace and -snorted as it was buckled around him to stay, but the black whiskered -hombre that buckled it on never seemed to notice or care that the horse -had no liking for the collar and all the straps. - -He kept on a fastening the harness, and when that was done, he jerked -the old pony around and backed him into the shafts of the same old -wagon that the rack of bones had been unhooked out of. Cloudy kept on -a snorting and looked on one side and then the other as the shafts of -the wagon was raised. If only he could act the way his heart wanted him -to, but he didn't have the strength, the action to put in it, nor the -energy no more. The most he could do was to snort, quiver, and shake -his head. - -But, as he was all hooked up and the man jumping in the wagon grabbed -his whip, Old Cloudy done his best to try and get back to some of the -life and tearing ability that'd once been his. He kicked a couple of -times at the rattling thing on wheels and which he was fastened to, -then he tried to buck some and finally wound up by wanting to run away, -but the harness held and the rattling thing behind came right along -wherever he went, and worse yet, he felt the stinging lash of the man's -whip as he fought on and tried to clear himself. Then the jerking of -the bit thru his mouth, and with all that to show how useless his -fighting and wanting to get away really was, the old pony soon lost -heart. He finally settled down to a choppy lope, then a trot that was -just as choppy, and at last to a walk. - -Another sting of the whip was felt on his flank, and at the same time, -the line was jerked at the bit, and Cloudy, still pulling the wagon, -was made to turn up a lane. At the end of the lane was a shack made of -old pieces of boards and covered over with the tin of old oil-cans. -To the right of that and a little ways further was another shack that -looked like a mate to the first, only worse, and that one was going to -be Cloudy's place of rest and shelter whenever work was over. - -There he was pulled to a stop, unhooked, led to the manger, and tied. -The stable door was closed with a bang, and after a while the old -horse, still wanting to cling to life regardless of what came, stuck -his nose in the manger to nibble on some of what was in it. He reached -for a mouthful of what he'd naturally took for hay, and chewed for a -spell, but he didn't chew on it long. There was a musty taste about the -long dirty brown stems that didn't at all fit in with any hay he'd ever -et. The kind that'd been put in the manger for him to eat was the same -that the livery stableman had used to put in the stalls and bed the -horses down with. It was straw, only this was musty straw and wouldn't -even make good bedding for horses. - -Cloudy felt hungry long before the next morning came, and often thru -the night he'd nosed into the musty straw with the hopes of finding a -few stems that'd do to fill an empty space, but there wasn't any to be -found. The old rack of bones that'd been there before him had looked -for some too, and with no better luck.--Cloudy's new owner figgered -it cheaper to swap horses with the "chicken man" and give him a few -dollars to boot whenever any horse of his give out; he wasn't going to -buy no high-priced hay for no horse. The straw was given to him for the -getting and would keep any horse alive and working for at least six -months, and then, or whenever the horse would be too weak to go any -more, he'd trade him for another. Any kind of a horse, fat or thin, -could always be used by the chicken man, and in trade, he'd always take -one of the fattest to take the place of the one he'd just starved near -to death,--that way, year in year out, he'd keep a draining the last of -the life of every horse he'd get his claws onto. - -His property, and where he starved the horses into making a living for -him, took in a couple of acres. Half of that land was rocks, mostly, -and where he kept a few chickens, he bought, or stole a little grain -for _them_, but they well repaid him, every time he went to town there -was a basket of eggs in his wagon and which he sold well. The other -half of his land was cultivated, and where vegetables of all kinds had -been made to grow. There's where the help of a horse was needed, to -pull the cultivator or the plow, then the hauling of the vegetables to -town, and once there, any odd job that could be got and which would -bring a few dollars for the use of the horse and wagon. - -It was bright and early the next morning when the work begin for -Cloudy. The man showed his teeth in a grin as he looked in the manger -while putting the harness on the horse, and noticing the straw in there -hadn't hardly been touched, remarked: - -"You'll be eating some of that before you get thru." - -Cloudy was made acquainted with many different kinds of implements -and work that day. All was mighty strange and plum against the ways -of working which he'd been broke to do. It was pull, and pull, one -contraption and then another, back and forth thru furrows, turn at the -end and then back again. If he slowed down, or hesitated, wondering -what to do, there was the whip always on hand to make him decide and -mighty quick. - -His muscles, having developed under the saddle, used to pack weight, -and set that way, wasn't for getting next to the change very easy. -Looking thru a collar and pulling steady was so different to heading -off and turning a wild-eyed critter. It wasn't at all like coming out -of the chute in front of a grandstand and seeing how many jumps could -be put into one, nor didn't compare even with packing equestrians -around. He'd felt some free under the saddle, and even tho all of it -had been real work, there'd always been something that fitted in and -which made him feel natural. - -But now, with all these straps a hanging onto him, there was a feeling -that he was tied down,--them straps even seemed to wrap around his -heart at times and keep it from beating. And taking all, the strange -hard work, the sting of the whip-lash on his ribs, nothing fit to eat -after he was tired out and the day was over, it was no wonder that the -old pony's heart begin to shrivel up on him. - -As the long days run into weeks and the work in the field and in the -town got to bearing down on him, the old pony even got so he couldn't -hate no more; abuse or kindness had both got to be the same, and one -brought out no more result or show of interest than the other. He -went to the jerk of the lines like without realizing, and when he was -finally led into the stable when night come the feeling was the same. -There he et the musty straw because it was under his nose, he didn't -mind the taste of it, he didn't mind anything, any more. - - * * * * * - -Of the odd jobs that Cloudy's owner would get to do around town and -whenever he could get away from his truck and chicken farm, there was -one which he looked forward to the most, and which the thought of made -him rub his hands together with pleasure. It was that of scattering -the posters advertising The Annual Rodeo, and Celebration, that was -pulled off in town and every early fall. But that wasn't all, there -was many other things for him to do at that time for which he could -charge without anybody ever finding out whether all he'd been paid to -do really had been done. - -That year as usual, he was ready, and right on the dot to take on some -more of that kind of work. He'd hooked up the old mouse colored horse -and taking a load of vegetables on the way in, stuck around town doing -the different kinds of work the rodeo association had furnished him -with. He'd be on the go all day and prodding the old horse into a trot, -sometimes even if the wagon was loaded. - -It'd be away into the night before he'd turn the tired horse towards -home. Every day was a great day, _for the man_, there was so many -people around to make the town lively, and being most of 'em was -strangers, he could get to within talking distance of 'em easy enough, -and a few would even stand to have him around for a few minutes at the -time. - -Them strangers had come to see the rodeo, most of 'em was from other -towns around, and mixed in the crowd once in a while could be seen the -high-crowned hat of a cowboy who'd come to ride, rope, and bulldog. -Then at the Casa Grande Hotel, and registered there, was many cattle -buyers from the northern States. - -They'd come to bid on the big herds of cattle that was being crowded -acrost the border from Mexico, for Pancho Villa and the Yaquis was -making it hard for the cattleman of that country. Villa took the cattle -to feed his army, while the Yaquis run off whatever Villa overlooked, -and the cowman that could, and had any stock left, soon seen where if -he wanted to save anything of what he'd worked to accumulate, he'd have -to rush whatever that was to the border and get it on American soil -mighty quick. - -[Illustration: The long horned "Sonora reds" begin to spread all over -the range countries of the U. S. plum up to the Canadian line.] - -That's how come that the stockyards of the border towns was filled with -cattle and that the hotels along them same towns was filled with -cattle buyers. The Casa Grande Hotel was the most filled on account -that along with the business of buying cattle, a little pleasure -could be got there afterwards. A rodeo was in that town, and night -celebrations, and being that them cattle buyers was still as much -cowboys as ever, a good bucking contest and the fun afterwards couldn't -be overlooked, not if it could be helped. "Yep, the town was sure -lively." - -Two of the buyers was setting in the lobby of the hotel one morning and -a talking on the first day's event of the rodeo. A telegraph pole which -stuck up right before their vision and on the edge of the sidewalk, -and nailed to that pole was a poster advertising the rodeo, and with -a photograph of a bucking horse in action on it, told all about "the -great bucking horse and outlaw The Grey Cougar, the only one that could -compare, in wickedness and bucking ability, to The Cougar, that once -famous man killing horse." - -The two went on to talking about the rodeo, and naturally the talk -drifted on about The Grey Cougar, and "_how_ he could buck." - -"The boys tell me," says one of the men, "that this Grey Cougar horse -couldn't hold a candle to the real Cougar when it come to bucking -and fighting. According to that, the other horse must of been _some_ -wicked." - -The man was still talking on the subject, when an old mouse colored -horse, pulling an old wagon loaded down with vegetables, came to a -stiff legged stop, and right by the telegraph pole on which the poster -telling all about The Grey Cougar was nailed. The man in the lobby -grinned a little at the sight of the old horse a standing there like in -comparison with the famous grey outlaw, and pointing a finger in his -direction, he remarked: - -"There must be the Old Cougar right there, Clint. Anyway he's got the -same color." - -The man called Clint grinned some at the joke, but the grin soon faded -away as he kept a looking at the old horse, and noticed the condition -he was in,--then he seen the saddle-marks that was all over the pony's -back, and he says: - -"You can never tell, that old pony might of been mighty hard to set at -one time too--but the way he looks like now, them times are sure done -past and gone." - -"Yep," agreed the other man, "it's a miracle that pony can navigate at -all--I wonder how it is that this Humane Society hombre that's sticking -around the rodeo grounds don't happen to notice such as this. I'd like -to help hang a feller for driving a horse like that around." - -The conversation was held up for a spell as the two men watched the -bewhiskered man come out of the hotel with an empty basket and climbed -the wagon on which the old mouse colored horse was hooked. He grabbed -the lines and the whip both at the same time and went to work a putting -the horse into a trot. - -Clint was for getting up as he seen the whip land on the old pony's -hide, but the other man grabbed a hold of his arm and says: - -"Never mind, old boy, most likely that Humane Society outfit'll fall -on that bolshevik's neck before he gets very far." - -The man called Clint set down again, but he was boiling up inside, and -he didn't at all look pleasant as the conversation was resumed and -noticed how his friend turned it to other things and away from the -subject of old horses and such. He wasn't for answering very quick -when that same friend went on to talking about that country to the -north;--how he'd heard rumors that the Rocking R might be selling out -in another year or so. "I wonder why?" he asks. - -Clint turned to his friend and grinning at his idea of changing the -subject that way, finally answered: "I guess it's because Old Tom feels -the end a coming, besides he's getting crowded all around by small -outfits, and his range aint holding up like it used to." - -"But what are you going to do when the Rocking R sells out?--you left -that country quite a few times the last few years, and I notice you -always go back like there was no other that suited you." - -"I've got that fixed," says Clint gradually taking more heart in the -new subject, and there he tried to describe some;--"you know abouts -where that camp is where I used to break horses when I first started -working for the Rocking R? it's where the outfit used to run their -stock horses. Well, I bought that camp from Old Tom Jarvis,--that is, I -talked him into selling it to me, and four thousand acres of the fine -range around to go with it. - -[Illustration: No remuda got by that Clint didn't ride thru.] - -"I'm thinking that this shipment I'm getting together now will be the -last Old Tom'll ever buy, and by the time I get this train-load of -Sonora Reds north and delivered to him, I'll have enough money to make -the final payment on my place and still have enough left to buy a few -head of cattle and start stocking it." - -Clint often thought of his little place up in the heart of the cow -country to the north. He could picture his own cattle ranging there and -packing a brand of his on their slick hides,--he'd a long time hoped -for the likes, and at last he was getting it. A couple more days now, -and he'd be heading north again, and there to stay, this time. - - * * * * * - -The last day of the rodeo had come, and Clint was to start with his -train load of stock that night. Him and his friend was setting in the -lobby of the hotel that evening a talking and wondering when they'd be -seeing one another again, when outside and by the telegraph pole, came -the same old mouse colored horse and stopped not an inch from where the -two men had seen him a couple of days before. - -Both was quick to spot him again this time, and right then, for some -reason or other the conversation died down. The first sight of that old -pony hadn't been forgot, and when he showed up this second time, right -before their eyes, he was like reminding 'em, and natural like, set the -two men to thinking. That old shadow of a horse told some of the hard -knocks of life, of things that was past and gone and which could of -been bettered while the bettering could be done. - -It was while the thinking was going on that way, that Clint sort of -felt a faint, far away something a knocking and from down the bottom -of his think tank. That something was trying hard to come back to life -as that man's eyes kept a going over the pony's blazed face and bony -frame, but it was buried so far underneath so many things that'd been -stacked there, that the knocking was pretty well muffled up. It'd have -to be helped by some sort of a sudden jolt before it could come out on -top. - -The jolt came as the vegetable man got his seat on the wagon and as -usual reached for the whip. Clint's friend a trying to keep him from -running out and starting a rompus had tried to draw his interest by -asking: - -"What's become of that cowhorse _Smoky_, that used to----?" - -But the question was left for _him_ to wonder about, for Clint wasn't -there to answer, instead the hotel door slammed and only a glimpse -of that same cowboy could be seen as he passed by the lobby window. -In less than it takes to tell it, he was up on the wagon, took a -bulldogging holt of the surprised vegetable man, and by his whiskers, -drug him off his seat and down to earth. - -The telephone on the desk of the sheriff's office rang till it near -danced a jig, and when that feller lifted the receiver, a female voice -was heard to holler: "somebody is killing somebody else with a whip, by -the Casa Granda Hotel. _Hurry! Quick!_" - -The sheriff appeared on the scene and took in the goings on at a -glance. Like a man who knowed his business, his eyes went to looking -for what might of caused the argument as he came. He looked at the old -horse whose frame showed thru the hide, then the whip marks on that -hide. He knowed horses as well as he did men, and when he noticed more -marks of the same whip on the bewhiskered man's face, he stood his -ground, watched, and then grinned. - -"Say, cowboy," he finally says, "don't skatter that hombre's remains -too much, you know we got to keep record of that kind the same as if it -was a white man, and I don't want to be looking all over the streets to -find out who he was." - -Clint turned at the sound of the voice, and sizing up the grinning -sheriff, went back to his victim and broke the butt end of the whip -over his head, after which he wiped his hands, and proceeded to unhook -the old horse off the wagon. - -That evening was spent in "investigating." Clint and the sheriff went -to the chicken-horse man and found out enough from him about the -vegetable man and his way of treating horses to put that hombre in a -cool place and keep him there for a spell. - -"I'm glad to've caught on to that feller's doings," remarks the sheriff -as him and Clint went to the livery stable, their next place of -investigation. - -There Clint listened mighty close as he learned a heap about the mouse -colored horse when he was known as Cloudy. The stable man went on to -tell as far as he knowed about the horse and the whole history of him, -and when that pony was known thru the Southwest and many other places, -as _The Cougar_, the wickedest bucking horse and fighting outlaw the -country had ever layed eyes on. - -Clint was kinda proud in hearing that. He'd heard of The Cougar and -that pony's bucking ability even up to the Canadian line and acrost -it, and to himself he says: "That Smoky horse never did do things -halfways." But he got to wondering, and then asked how come the pony -had turned out to be the kind of a horse, that, the stable man didn't -know. It was news to him that the horse had ever been anything else, -and as he says: - -"The first that was seen of that horse is when some cowboys found him -on the desert, amongst a bunch of wild horses, and packing a saddle. -Nobody had ever showed up to claim him, and as that pony had been more -than inclined to buck and fight is how come he was sold as a bucking -horse--and believe me, old timer," went on the stable man, a shaking -his head, "he was _some_ bucking horse." - -"Well," says the sheriff, "that's another clue run to the ground with -nothing left of, but the remains." - -That night, the big engine was hooked on to the train-load of cattle -as to per schedule and started puffing its way on to the north. In the -last car, the one next to the cabbose, and the least crowded, a space -had been partitioned off. In that space was a bale of good hay, a -barrel of water, and an old mouse colored horse. - - * * * * * - -The winter that came was very different to any the old mouse colored -horse had ever put in. The first part of it went by with him like in -a trance, not realizing and hardly seeing. His old heart had dwindled -down till only a sputtering flame was left, and that threatened to go -out with the first hint of any kind of breeze. - -Clint had got the old horse in a warm box stall, filled the manger full -of the best blue joint hay there was, and even bedded him down with -more of the same; water was in that same stall and where it could be -easy reached, and then that cowboy had bought many a dollar's worth of -condition powders, and other preparations which would near coax life -back even in a dead body. - -Two months went by when all seemed kinda hopeless, but Clint worked on -and kept a hoping. He'd brought the old horse in the house, and made -him a bed by the stove if that would of helped, and far as that goes, -he'd of done anything else, just so a spark of life showed in the old -pony's eyes; but he'd done all he could do, and as he'd lay a hand on -the old skinny neck and felt of the old hide, he'd cuss and wish for -the chance of twisting out of shape all who had been responsible. Then -his expression would change, and he'd near bust out crying as he'd -think back and compare the old wreck with what that horse had been. - -As much as Clint had liked Smoky, the old wreck of a shadow of that -horse wasn't wanting for any of the same liking. It was still in the -cowboy's heart a plenty, and if anything, more so on account that the -old pony was now needing help, and a friend like he'd never needed -before, and Clint was more on hand with the horse, now that he was -worthless, than he'd been when Smoky was the four hundred dollar -cowhorse and worth more. - -Finally, and after many a day of care and worrying, Clint begin to -notice with a glad smile, that the pony's hide was loosening up; then -after a week or so more of shoving hay and grain, condition powders, -and other things down the old pony's throat, a layer of meat begin to -spread over them bones and under that hide. Then one day a spark showed -in the pony's eye, soon after that he started taking interest in the -things around. - -As layer after layer of meat and then tallow accumulated and rounded -the sharp corners of Smoky's frame, that pony was for noticing more and -more till after a while his interest spread enough, and with a clearer -vision, went as far as to take in the man, who kept a going and coming, -once in a while touched him, and then talked. - -Clint liked to had a fit one day, when talking to the horse and -happening to say _Smoky_, he noticed that pony cock an ear. - -The recuperating of the horse went pretty fast from then on, and as -the winter days howled past and early spring drawed near, there was -no more fear of Smoky's last stand being anywheres near. As the days -growed longer and the sun got warmer, there was times when Clint would -lead the horse out and turn him loose to walk around in the sunshine, -and that way get the blood to circulating. Smoky would sometimes mosey -along for hours around the place and then start out on some trail, but -always when the sun went down, he was by the stable door again and -then Clint would let him in. - -Clint would watch him by the hour whenever the horse was out that way, -and he'd wonder, as he kept his eye on him, if that pony remembered, -if the knocks he'd got from different people in different countries, -didn't forever make him forget his home range and all that went with -it. Not many miles away was where he was born; the big mountains now -covered with snow was the same he was raised on, and which he tore up -with his hoofs as he played while a little colt, and by his mammy. The -corrals by the stable and sheds was the ones he was first run into when -branded, and in them, a few years later, broke to saddle; but what -Clint would wonder the most, as he watched, is whether Smoky remembered -_him_. - -The cowboy had kept a hoping that sometime he'd be greeted with a -nicker as he'd open the stable door in the morning. Clint felt if the -horse remembered, he would nicker that way at the sight of him and -like he used to, but morning after morning went by, and even tho Smoky -seemed full of life and rounded out to near natural again, no nicker -was ever heard. - -"Somebody must of stretched that pony's heartstrings to the breaking -point," he remarked one day, as he'd stopped, wondering as usual, and -looked at the horse. - -Finally spring came sure enough, and broke up the winter. Green grass -covered ridges took the place of snow banks, and the cottonwoods along -the creeks was beginning to bud. It was during one of them fine -spring days, when riding along and looking the country over, Clint run -acrost a bunch of horses. In the bunch was a couple of colts just a few -days old, and knowing that old ponies have such a strong interest and -liking for the little fellers, the cowboy figgered the sight of 'em -would help considerable in bringing Smoky's heart up a few notches, and -maybe to remembering. He fell in behind the bunch and hazed 'em all -towards the corrals, and as Smoky, turned loose that day, spotted the -bunch, his head went up. Then he noticed the little fellers, and that -old pony, gathering all the speed there was in him, headed straight for -the bunch and amongst 'em. - -Clint corralled him and all the rest together and setting on his horse -at the gate, watched Smoky while that horse was having the time of his -life getting acquainted. The pony dodged kicks and bites and went back -and forth thru the bunch, and a spark showed in his eye which hadn't -been there for many a day. - -The cowboy could near see the horse smile at the little colts, and -he was surprised at the show of action and interest the old pony had -reserved, or gained. He was acting near like a two-year-old, and Clint -grinned as he watched. - -"Daggone his old hide," says the cowboy, "it looks to me like he's good -to live and enjoy life for many summers yet;" then thinking strong, -he went on, "and maybe in that time he might get to remembering me -again--I wonder." - -He watched Smoky a while longer and till he got acquainted some, and -at last deciding it'd be for the best to let him go, he reined his -horse out of the gate and let the bunch run by. The old pony seemed to -hesitate some as the bunch filed out, he liked their company mighty -well but something held him back; then a horse nickered, and even tho -that nicker might not of been meant for him, it was enough to make him -decide. He struck out on a high lope and towards the bunch;--one of the -little colts and full of play waited for him, and nipping the old horse -in the flanks run by his side till the bunch was caught up with--Smoky -was _living_ again. - -Clint sat on his horse and watched the bunch lope out over a ridge and -out of sight, and with a last glimpse at the mouse colored rump he -grinned a little, but it was a sorry grin, and as he kept a looking the -way Smoky had gone, he says: - -"I wonder if he ever will." - - * * * * * - -With the green grass growing near an inch a day, Clint wasn't worried -much on how old Smoky was making it. He figgered a horse couldn't -die if he wanted to, not on that range at that time of the year, but -some day soon he was going to try and locate the old horse and find -out for sure how he really was. Then a lot of work came on which kept -the cowboy from going out soon as he wanted to, and then one morning, -bright and early, as he stepped out to get a bucket of water, the -morning sun throwed a shadow on the door, and as he stuck his head out -a nicker was heard. - -[Illustration: As he stepped out to get a bucket of water the morning -sun throwed a shadow on the door.] - -Clint dropped his bucket in surprise at what he heard and then seen. -For, standing out a ways, slick, and shiny, was the old mouse colored -horse. The good care the cowboy had handed him, and afterwards, the -ramblings over the old home range, had done its work. 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