The Long Dim TrailHooker, Forrestine C. (Forrestine Cooper)
General
The Long Dim Trail
Hooker, Forrestine C. (Forrestine Cooper)
Arizona -- Fiction; Cowboys -- Fiction; Ranch life -- Fiction; Western stories
"Unmanageable. Breaks rank, won't face with the other horses, dances
when he ought to stand still, and runs like the Devil, everytime they
line up in parade. He's racing stock. A dandy horse, alright, but too
high-lived for Cavalry work, and they can't break him in to it. He's got
more sense than any other horse in the troop, but after they punished
him a few times, he got to fighting every time a saddle was put on his
back."
Limber remembered several excellent horses at the Diamond H that had
been more unpromising material. When he went back to the ranch after the
sale, he led the big sorrel horse, intending to handle it himself.
Jamie was in the stable when Limber arrived, and the horse leaned out
its graceful neck until its nose touched the child's shoulder. A sudden
thought struck Limber. The horse had been used to children, evidently,
at some period of its life.
"Go get some sugar," said Limber to Bronco, and when he returned, Limber
handed a lump of sugar to the child. "See if he will take it from you."
Jamie held out the sugar, and Gov'ner, with a little nicker, took it
carefully from the boy's hand. After repeating the operation several
times, the boy moved slowly away, holding out his hand, and the horse
followed him, threading gingerly between the buggies, around the men,
and receiving his reward.
Traynor and Nell came out to watch them, and Gov'ner condescended to
make friends with the woman, also, but flatly refused to accept sugar
from any of the men. He plainly showed his preference for the child, and
Traynor laughed as he said,
"He has no use for any one but you, Jamie. He's your horse from now on;
but you must not ride him until Limber says that it will be all right."
So for days Gov'ner was educated, gently and kindly, and always with the
child near by. At first the boy was placed on the animal's back, while
it was led about the barn. After that, Limber, mounted on Peanut, led
Gov'ner on the road at a walk, while Jamie talked to the horse or patted
the shining neck. Not once was there any indication of fractiousness on
the part of Gov'ner. A child's love and kindness had conquered where
discipline had failed.
Mornings, when the day's work on the range was light, Gov'ner would be
led out and the miniature cowboy saddle placed on his back. Neatly
coiled and tied to the saddle was a beautifully made riata, the gift of
Bronco, who was noted for his skill in making these ropes. When the
childish figure appeared, equipped with leather leggings and tiny spurs,
there would be a sharp, joyous yelp from Dash, the leader of the
greyhound pack, and an answering call as Killem, Catchem, Scrub and
Beauty came leaping in delight, knowing there were rabbits and coyotes
to chase.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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