Our custom was to teach all the newcomers into our ranch, or farm, to carry us on their backs, and as the bushes hung low in the pastures and the steers had no manes to cling to, we often got dumped, but we did not care for scratches and bruises, for I boasted to be able to hang to a frightened steer's tail through a bush pasture longer than any boy in the neighborhood. On this occasion the wild Sexton steer was in the yard--a big black fellow, who was so mean that he would kick the boards off the barn, just if we tickled him with the tines of a pitchfork. Really, he was so unruly that he had no respect for the other cattle, or even a ten-rail fence, when Gordon and I, with the dog, got after him. Forgetting we were going to prayer meeting that evening, and that we had already put on our Sunday clothes, I said to Gordon: "I think now is a good time to teach old Sexton to let us ride him." "Oh, Merrick, don't try that again, he will kill you." "Nonsense, I'm not afraid; if he throws me off, I will land on my feet." "You may and you may not; see how black his eyes are; let us take our bows and arrows and go and shoot at Kendel's cats. Mr. and Mrs. Kendel went to Sommers today, so there is no one at home but Grandpa Bragg and he cannot see well enough to tell whether it is us or the Wires' boys." "Never mind the cats, Gordon," I said as I stripped off my coat in a real businesslike manner, "I am dying for a ride on that steer. Come and help me catch him. There, that's right, now we have him, so, bossy--so, bossy--so-so-bossy, so. Look out, there, Gordon!" "Merrick, I told you we could not catch him." "It was because you was so slow. Now you come and stand on this dry spot and when I chase him around, stop him, and I will creep up--there, that is better--so-bossy-so." "There he goes again. What did I tell you, Merrick? I said we could not catch him." [Illustration: ALL THE FOLKS AWAY FROM HOME EXCEPT US TWO BOYS.] "Oh, that is because you are so slow. Now, when I get him here again and he lets me put my hand on him, you must be ready to grab the foot I raise and throw me over square on his back, then I will ride him around and around until he gets tired out; that is just the way they tame elephants. Here we have him again, grab, now grab--there I am. Say, isn't it funny he does not move or stir? Why, I am having a regular picnic up here." "Oh, Merrick, but if you could see his eyes, and his neck is curved like a ram's horn. He is going to do something. You better seize his tail and slide off backwards before he starts." "Oh, you little fraid goose, I am just here on his back and he can't help himself. It's just fun, and when I tell the girls about it, won't it make their eyes open wide? He can't just help himself, now punch him a little with the fork handle right under the flanks--gee whiz, it is funny he doesn't start, isn't it? I wonder if steers ever rear up in the front?"