"Oh, very well," said Lieutenant Wingate, stepping into the car, removing the bars and reaching for the pony's headstall. That was the beginning of what proved to be an exciting time for Lieutenant Wingate and a most enjoyable entertainment for the villagers. The next act was when Hippy was catapulted from the car door by the heels of the untamed bronco and landed in the street. Fortunately for him, Lieutenant Wingate, instead of jumping back when the pony began to kick, threw himself towards the animal, a trick that handlers of ugly horses quickly learn to do. He was thus, instead of being hit by the heels of the bronco, neatly boosted through the open door of the car. The villagers howled with delight as the Overland Rider got up and brushed the dirt from his uniform. "I have heard it said that incorrigible horses are sometimes made docile by sprinkling a pinch of salt on their tails," observed Elfreda Briggs to her companions. "Remonstrate with the beast, Hippy. He is educated," suggested Emma Dean. "Hippy, my darlin', do be careful," begged Nora as her husband limped up the gangway, jaws set, the light of battle in his eyes, his anger rising with every step he took. Hippy clasped the pony's neck, the rat-tat-tat of the animal's heels against the side of the car being somewhat reminiscent of machine-gun fire to the Overland girls. "He'll be killed!" wailed Nora. "Who? The pony?" asked Emma in an unruffled voice. "No! What do I care about the pony? It's my Hippy." A yell from the villagers brought others running to the scene, but no one offered assistance. Hippy and the bronco were tussling on the threshold of the car with Hippy's feet in the air most of the time. "Tickle him in the ribs," suggested a villager. "That'll make him laugh and he'll fergit to kick." The villagers howled with delight. "Tickle him yourself," retorted Nora. "Jump!" urged Miss Briggs. "No! Hang on!" shouted Tom Gray. "If you let go he'll kill you! Urge him down the gangway and I will grab him when he makes the rush." At that instant the pony leaped. Hippy lost his foothold on the edge of the doorsill, and the pony, unable to bear the additional weight on its neck, stumbled and went down on the gangway. The animal's hips struck the railing, burst through it, and man and horse rolled off to the ground, Ginger kicking and squealing, with Hippy Wingate clinging desperately to his neck. CHAPTER II THE VOICE OF NATURE The bronco was on his feet instantly, with Hippy still clinging to the animal's neck. All the villagers scattered as Ginger bolted across the street. "Why don't _you_ tickle his ribs?" cried Emma to the spectators. For a few moments it looked as if man and bronco would land in the village postoffice by way of its large front window. "Whew!" grinned Hippy, mopping his brow after he had conquered and tied the pony to the tie-rail in front of the postoffice. "I--I thought you said that Ginger was an educated horse," reminded Emma.