122 AN "OUTLAW" 



which it was really a risky business to touch, but which 

 looked sheepish enough when let alone, Jim was asked if 

 he didn't want the job of saddling and riding him. Jim 

 said he guessed not, but he thought he u would be spryer 

 about doin' it if he'd got to," which piece of bravado 

 elicited universal laughter, and numerous taunts to Jim 

 to try. " Wa'al, boys, I don't know much about them 

 bronks," said Jim, " but I've got a dollar or two laid by 

 for a rainy day, and I'd like to bet I km ride him." In a 

 moment every man's pocket was empty, for they thought 

 Jim didn't know what he was about. The old cook acted 

 rather foolish, but said if the boys would rope and saddle 

 the bronk, and would help him mount, he'd take a bet or 

 two, and in five minutes he stood booked to win more dol- 

 lars than he could earn at the fire in five years, at odds 

 which left him with a goodish margin of ready money in 

 case he failed. 



Jim made a good deal of fuss getting ready and putting 

 on a pair of spurs, but stood the chaff pretty well. " Made 

 yer will, Jim ?" u Why not tie a pot on yer head, Jim ?" 

 " Said yer prayers, Jim ?" " Where shall we plant ye, 

 Jim ?" and so on, ad infinitum. Finally Jim was up, and 

 the crowd backed away, for they all knew the old pie- 

 bald outlaw. For an instant the bronk stood still, ears 

 back, and eye full of vicious mischief. He had not been 

 mounted for months. Then he arched his back and gave 

 a little hoist and a lash- out with his off hind -leg. The 

 boys all looked to see Jim topple ; but the quondam cook 

 was transformed beyond recognition. The slouch had all 

 gone out of him ; he sat like a Centaur, heeding neither 

 rein or stirrup. Nettled at Jim's strong grasp, which or- 

 dinary exertions did not appear to loosen, the bronk now 

 started in in earnest. He reared and plunged upward, he 

 plunged forward head doAvn, he kicked as only a Kentucky 



