The stallion watched them come, moving his feet up and down uneasily and peering at them between the bars. VB reached for the gate fastening, and the horse was away across the corral, snorting, head up, as though fearful. "Why, Captain!" the boy cried. "What ails you?" "What ails him?" cried Jed. "Man alive, I'd expect to see him tryin' to tear our hearts out!" "Oh, but he's like a woman!" VB said softly, watching the horse as he swung the gate open. They stepped inside, Jed with caution. VB walked straight across to the horse and laid his hand on the splendid curve of the rump. "Well, I'm a--" Again Jed could find no proper word to express his astonishment. He simply took off his hat and swung it in one hand, like an embarrassed schoolgirl. "Come over and meet the boss, Captain," VB laughed, drawing the black head around by its heavy forelock. And the Captain came--unexpectedly. The boy realized the danger with the first plunge and threw his arms about the animal's neck, crying to him to be still. And Jed realized, too. He slipped outside, putting bars between himself and those savage teeth which reached out for his body. Foiled, the stallion halted. "Captain," exclaimed VB, "what ails you?" "To be sure, nothin' ails him," said Jed sagely. "You're his master; you own him, body and soul; but you ain't drove th' hate for men out of his heart. He seems to love you--but not others--yes--" His voice died out as he watched the black beast make love to the tall young chap who scolded into his dainty ear. The soft, thin lips plucked at VB's clothing, nuzzling about him as he stood with arms clasped around the glossy neck. The great cheek rubbed against the boy's side until it pushed him from his tracks, though he strained playfully against the pressure. Such was the fierceness of that horse's allegiance. His nostrils fluttered, but no sound came from them: the beast whisperings of affection. All the time VB scolded softly, as a father might banter with a child. And when the boy looked up a great pride was in his face, and Jed understood. "That's right, Young VB--be proud of it! Be proud that he's yours; be proud that he's yours, an' yours only. Keep him that way; to be sure, an' you've earned it!" Then he stepped close to the bars and gazed at the animal with the critical look of a connoisseur. "Not a hair that ain't black," he muttered. "Black from ankle to ear; hoofs almost black, black in th' nostrils. Black horses generally have brown eyes, but you can't even tell where th' pupil is in his! "Say, VB, he makes th' ace of spades look like new snow, don't he?" "He does that!" cried VB, and putting his hands on the animal's back, he leaped lightly up, sitting sidewise on the broad hips and playing with the heavy tail. "VB, I'm a-- Lord, a thousand dollars for a new oath!" At VB's suggestion they started back to the cabin.