CHAPTER XI 



A WILD THOROUGHBRED 



THERE were no claimants at the Bar 

 "J" Ranch for the honour of breaking 

 Black Diamond on " Bucking Day," as 

 the day before the semi-annual round-up was 

 called. The saddle horses had been assigned to 

 the cowboys to be broken and made ready for 

 the round-up. . 



It was noon. The morning had been filled 

 with broncho-busting excitement. Numbers of 

 bronchos, full of cussedness, full of fight and 

 vitality, were eager to revenge old scores, and 

 fought their riders at every point. Hardened by 

 cruelty, wise with experience, they were deter- 

 mined not to be ridden. They were seemingly 

 unconquerable. 



Three of the boys had been tossed, and there 

 was a lively battle of raillery and jest as they 

 collected outside the ranch house waiting for 

 dinner. 



As a tall, long-stepping fellow came slouching 

 up to the group, there was a suppressed snicker. 

 To the cowboys he had that superior, self- 



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