Kentucky, where horses take a leading part in the education of mos

the ranch found that, in his own way, he was well versed

s of the plains could show the tenderfoot from the South; but

tried to soothe Domino by soft words. For once the remedy failed to produce any immedia

, as he found considerable difficulty in keeping his saddle, s

up quite a few points since arriving at the ranch. He had even heard of a mean trick practi

hit upon an explanation for the animal's remarkable antics. "Now, what could it have been? Would any fellow be so m

ble during the rushing of the runaway horse. When, in pursuing his investigations, he ran his hand under

ame quivering with indignation at the thought of anyone being so cruel an

he believed the thorn to have been hidden. This he did by leaning forward after the manner of a cl

y in the ear of Domino. By degrees the

must comprehend what was wanted, for, although evidently still in more or less pain, he gradually

. Bob continued to pat him gently, and speak soothing words. All the time he was working to

en pull. Domino squirmed, and for the mom

ave that saddle off in a jiffy; and see what

as releasing the band; and, with a sudden

ns of blood on the glossy

e it in. And I reckon, too, it would be just like the cowardly sneak to pick out one that had a poison tip! Oh! what a skunk! and how

t the saddle off. And it did not require a hunt of more than two minutes to discover some little object clinging to the cloth

he saddle, carefully adjusting the girth so as to avoid any more pr

master's actions, and, although s

l, in half an hour Bob came in sig

you, even though I knew you could manage a horse all right. It was a lively r

want to take," answered Bo

what ailed him?"

time trying to keep fr

is pocket, and held it before Frank, who

"That's Peg's idea of getti

say Peg did that?" ex

e. When we were busy in that store, he crept up and fixed this thorn under your saddle. Of course, as soon as you sprang into your seat, your we

ack. But tell me, why did he pick out my horse, i

the tavern as I galloped after you; and give you my word, Bob, he had a grin on his face that looked as if it would never come off. Peg was happy-why? Because he had just

caused the queer antics of his horse, and then wh

thusiastically. "Say, you're getting on to all the li

ay as soon as their rider dismounted; but he's mighty near human, Frank, I tell you. He just stood there,

Old Kentucky; or a pawpaw in the thicket. It's rank poison, too

ose my horse," remarked Bob, dejectedly, as he t

k some ointment old Hank Coombs gave me at a time I fell down on one of the same kind of stickers, an

erced the flesh of the animal, Domino seemed to understand what their object was. He gave seve

e?" asked Bob, after he

e make a start. Twenty-four hours will do Domino considerable good, too. Ho

d see, before we go any further," Bob remarked,

ian style, as he saw that the other had

ry much to Domino. But it's lucky I long ago learned the jockey way of riding, with most of the weight upon

Besides, neither of the boys knew of any reason for haste. As Frank had suggested, it would perhaps be just as well to allow a certa

rp eyes discovered a single horseman riding on a cour

d; and then, reaching for the field glasses which he carried swung in a case over his shoulder, he qu

hat it's Peg, or one of those slippery cowboy f

nd see what you think," re

y lad taken a single good

puncher of the Southwest! I suppose your

e he's headed in a line that will fetch up at the Circle Ranch by midnight, if he keeps galloping on

me that an old man like Hank could tell that we were friends, at s

open all their lives have eyes like an eagle's, and can tell objects that would look like m

. But Hank Coombs was as spry as most men of half his age. He could still hold his place in a round-up; swing the rope in a dexterous manner; bring down his steer as cleverly as the next man; ride the m

s son; and doubtless immediately suspected that Frank might have some new, daring scheme in view, looking to showing his friend from the East the won

the first question Hank asked, as they all mer

yesterday, you know, and meant to be away several days, perhaps a week. But I'm glad w

try ahead of ye, and thar be some people as don't think it's jest the safest place goin', what with the pesky cattle-rustler crowd as comes up

smiling face upon the old rider. Hank move

ye. None o' us fellers keers a heap 'bout headin' that-a-way. Twice I've been 'bliged to explore the canyon

bad; but you see that's just the very place we

closely at him, a

nder reckons as how yer father'll feel oneasy when I tell him what yer up t

. "That's what I meant when I said I

turn thar when ye left home, did

r Mountain up to an hour or two ago, when we ran across Peg Grant, w

ver, some o' us boys, an' 'bout kim to the conclusion as how them fellers must be in touch with the Me

ten till I tell you what they are thinking of doing

incident of their meeti

t human! I been a-hearin' it for the last forty years, an' I give ye my word it's gittin' wuss right along. The reds b

anyone bold enough to wander into the unknown country that lies back

the ground purty well," r

uldn't surprise me to find that some sharp crowd has been taking advantage of the bad name Thunder Mountain has a

e ha'nted mounting for a hiding place to keep the cows which they run away with? Um! wa'al now, I never thort

nd no longer saw any reason to be afraid of the thunder. But liste

he experienced western man looked wise. He had immediately guessed w

oe, would be guilty of tryin'. I've seen it done more'n a few times; and twict the critter was rounded up, and treated like he'd been a hoss thie

with us that ointment you gave me, and I used it a while ago. I'll put on

go into camp soon

down for the night there. Better hold over with us, Hank, unle

eed o' gittin' back to the ranch to-night. Yes, I'll hang over. P'r

on where, in the far distance, Frank pointed out to his chum the towering peak toward which the

d to cause him to shut his teeth more firmly together and stick to his resolu

dding him good-bye. "We'll turn up all right in the course of a few days. And perhaps, who knows, we might be able

s as their horses went prancing away, each of the riders turni

hunder Mounting territory. I hopes Mr. Haywood'll start out with a bunch o' cowmen to round 'em up. But he thinks that Frank kin hold his own, no matter what comes along. If he don't show signs o' bein' w

ronco into action, and was soon galloping away. But, more than a few times, he might have been observed to turn in his saddle and c

od for everything in the line of