As for Clint, the cowboy who "started" Smoky, he's no exception either. He's just a man who was able to see and bring out the good that was in the horse--and no matter how some writers describe the cowboy's handling of horses, I'm here to say that I can produce many a cowboy what can show feelings for a horse the same as Clint done. But Smoky met other humans besides Clint, many others, and of all kinds, and that's where the story comes in. And now, my main ambition as I turn Smoky loose to making hisself acquainted is that the folks who will get to know him will see that horse as _I_ seen him. WILL JAMES III CONTENTS I. A RANGE COLT II. SMOKY MEETS THE HUMAN III. WHERE THE TRAILS FORK IV. THE END OF A ROPE V. THE BRONC TWISTER STEPS UP VI. "THE SQUEAK OF LEATHER" VII. SMOKY SHOWS HIS FEELINGS VII. SMOKY STARTS OUT IX. FIGHTS FOR RIGHTS X. "AMONGST THE MISSING" XI. "THE FEEL OF A STRANGE HAND" XII. "WHEN THE GOOD LEAVES" XIII. "A MANY-MEN HORSE" XIV. "DARK CLOUDS, THEN TALL GRASS" ILLUSTRATIONS His ears begin to work back and forth towards the sound his mammy would make as she moved His long legs tangled and untangled themselves as he run, and he was sure making speed His mammy shot up the hill, took in the goings-on at a glance, and ears back, teeth a shining, tore up the earth and lit into the cayote like a ton of dynamite Smoky had 'em all buffaloed And as his mammy went to join the bunch, he followed and the big buckskin brought up the rear The lion had figgered on his victim a jumping to one side at his leap, and he'd allowed for that He got strong headed and full of mischief, and then's when the older horses figgered him to be a regular pest There's bowed necks as the three touch nostrils Smoky done a side swipe that was quicker than chained lightning The cowboy still hanging onto the rope that held his head, came on, saddle and all with him, and quivering with fear the little horse layed low, feet straight out in front and head near to the ground he stayed there He didn't forget how he was stopped, and so sudden, that first time he'd tried to break with an empty saddle A hand touched him on the forehead And when a glance back showed Smoky the rider was still there, he got desperate again and begin to see red Smoky wondered what a rope was doing up there The bush came out and headed straight for Smoky He liked to chase the wild-eyed cow, turn her when she didn't want to be turned, and put her where she didn't want to be put