158 WAITING IN THE WILDERNESS 



a cigarette with startling dexterity. Young 

 Porter, the wide-awake son of the ranch owner, 

 realized from this dexterity that Davis might 

 prove a star actor; he was, perhaps, about to 

 give a startling performance. 



Davis went into the corral alone. He stood 

 for a moment. Getting his eyes on Black Dia- 

 mond, he stopped whistling, commenced hum- 

 ming, and advanced slowly toward the horse, 

 quietly edging his way among the ponies. Pres- 

 ently he not only had Black Diamond alone in 

 the corner, but the horse was interested and 

 curious concerning this big, slow-moving, quiet- 

 going fellow. At last, Davis laid his hand gently 

 upon Black Diamond's side, rubbed him easily, 

 and commenced to talk to him in friendly tones. 



Many a sensitive and superior horse has be- 

 come an outlaw through clumsy or cruel han- 

 dling. Just average thoughtfulness will improve 

 any horse; most horses quickly respond to 

 friendly advances, quiet movements, and even, 

 friendly tones. 



After a minute or two, Davis placed the rope 

 over Black Diamond's head; swift, accurate 

 moves of hands followed, and the rope became a 

 hackamore that involved the horse's head. 

 Turning, and still talking to him, Davis led the 

 horse to the gate and then out of the corral. 



The cowboys gasped. But this temporary 



