It seemed as though Roy was right. Gradually the horse became calmer. The whites of his eyes went under, and more of the pupil showed. The stiffness went out of his legs. “All right, pony,” Teddy said soothingly. “Let’s run around a bit, hey? Now--into a gallop!” He let the reins hang slack. The horse looked around inquiringly, puzzled for a moment. What happened next is still unexplained by those watching, and Teddy has only a hazy idea of it. It was all too quick--too unexpected. The strap binding the saddle to the horse--the cinch strap--parted. Terrified at this sudden sensation, the pony started bucking again. There were three other girths about the belly, but these broke like paper ribbons. The hind feet went up in the air, and Teddy and the saddle shot over the bronco’s head. Teddy lit with arms out-stretched, taking the shock evenly. The moment he hit the ground he rolled, and avoided the pony’s hoofs by a fraction of an inch. Dazed, he staggered to his feet. “Stay there, Teddy! Don’t move! I’ll get him!” It was Roy, standing upright on his perilous perch, lariat whirling in a wide circle. The pony, seeing a defenseless man before him, and realizing that here was the author of his misfortunes, started forward, snorting viciously. His lips were drawn back and the teeth showed white and savage. All his former rage again took possession of him. Nick and Pop leaped their horses toward the maddened bronco. Even then they could see that their efforts were useless, that the wild horse was too close to Teddy for them to reach him on time. “He’s done! Roy, he’s--” At that moment the loop left Roy’s hand. Strangely, he thought of Bug Eye and his automatic lawnmower as he watched the loop snake out. In time of great stress one’s mind plays queer tricks. Teddy was too weak from his fall to move. He stood there, arms before him to ward off the brute, and waited for the end. But the pony never reached him. Roy’s lariat settled over the bronco’s neck. Like a flash the boy twisted the end he held about a post. With a jerk that drew from him a scream of pain, the pony’s dash was halted. He twisted, and bit at the rope that held him. In that second Nick and Pop bent low in their saddles, seized Teddy, and carried him to safety. The pony was still struggling with the lariat as Roy ran toward his brother. There was no more danger now--the rope was firmly on, and each movement of the horse drew it tighter. At present he had no time for living enemies with that coil of fire about his neck. “Teddy! Are you--” Teddy laughed weakly. “Nope, not quite, Roy. Just a little numb. I didn’t expect that fall. Maybe--” he staggered, and Roy seized his arm. “You come over to the house now. That was one bad spill. Look here--don’t cave in yet!” “No danger.” Teddy smiled at his brother. “Just bent over to see if my legs were still there. They feel kind of--missing.” Pop chuckled.