The boys reached home, told Mr. Manley that the trail to the shipping point was in fair shape, and went again into the yard to start their practice. Nick was waiting for them. “Which one of you goin’ in for bronco ridin’?” “I am, Nick,” Teddy answered. “Why?” Nick motioned him over. “Got something here you might be interested in,” he chuckled. “Came while you were gone. I asked Nat Raymond to bring it in for me from Sanborn’s Point. Yore dad wanted a new horse. Here it is.” He led the way to the corral. “It” proved to be a small mustang, whose fiery eyes and nervous movements proclaimed that this was his first experience with civilization. “Pete Lazerus caught him last week, an’ he’s been keepin’ him near his camp over at the Point, where he’s located. The bronc ain’t never been rode.” Teddy walked close to the bars and observed the animal intently. He noticed the full chest, the legs with hard bunches of muscle behind them, the long head with the ears lying flat against the skull. “No need to tell me that,” he said grimly. “Anyone ever try?” “Pete--for about three seconds,” Nick chuckled. “He sold him cheap. Said when he wanted dynamite he’d buy it in boxes, not wrapped in hoss flesh.” “Pop around?” “Yep. He’s been waitin’ for you, too. Yo, Pop!” “Comin’!” The veteran rancher ambled toward them. “Goin’ to teach him manners, Teddy?” “Going to register him for a course, anyway,” Teddy laughed. “May take a day or so. Nick, will you ride in and cinch him for me--you and Pop?” “Sure. Git yore bronc, Pop. Need two of us to do this job. What leather you want, Teddy?” “My own. I’ll drag it off Flash.” He did this, and returned with the saddle. By this time Pop and Nick had mounted and were within the bars of the corral. Roy was sitting on the top rail, with a rope held ready in his hand. “Just in case,” he explained. The wild pony strongly resented any interference with his liberty. When Nick rode up to him with a large handkerchief in his hand, to blindfold him before putting the saddle on, he shied and refused to stand. Nick unwound his lariat. “Have to coax him, I reckon.” The rope flew through the air, and settled full over the mustang. An instant of struggle, with Nick’s mount standing as firm as a rock, and suddenly Pop cast. With two ponies holding the bronco, between them they managed to put on the saddle and cinch it. “Buck strap, Teddy?” “Not any! Leave him open. All right, put the handkerchief on.” Quickly Nick secured the cloth in place over the bronco’s eyes. The horse stood perfectly still, but was trembling violently. “He’s plumb full of action,” Pop declared. “Careful, Teddy. Hold him now, Nick. Climb aboard, Ted! All set?” Teddy, his face moulded in stern lines, settled himself in the saddle. He grasped the reins, and straightened up. “All set, Pop. Raise the curtain.” The two lariats were thrown to the ground. Nick, leaning over cautiously, put his hand on the eye cloth. “Here she goes!”