Max Brand

Trailin'! Max Brand

It might easily have been made melodramatic by any hesitation as he approached, but, with abusinesslike directness, he went right up to the men who held the fighting horse. He said: "Put a saddle on him, boys, and I'll try my hand."They could not answer at once, for Werther's "pet," as if he recognized the newcomer, made asudden lunge and was brought to a stop only after he had dragged his sweating handlers around andaround in a small circle. Here Werther himself came running up, puffing with surprise."Son," he said eagerly, "I'm not aiming to do you no harm. I was only calling the bluff of those fourflushers."The slender youth finished rolling up his left sleeve and smiled down at the other."Put on the saddle," he said. Werther looked at him anxiously; then his eyes brightened with a solution. He stepped closer andlaid a hand on the other's arm."Son, if you're broke and want to get the price of a few squares just say the word and I'll fix you. Ibeen busted myself in my own day, but don't try your hand with my hoss. He ain't just a buckin'hoss; he's a man-killer, lad. I'm tellin' you straight. And this floor ain't so soft as the sawdust makes itlook," he ended with a grin. The younger man considered the animal seriously."I'm not broke; I've simply taken a fancy to your horse. If you don't mind, I'd like to try him out. Seems too bad, in a way, for a brute like that to put it over on ten thousand people without getting arun for his money-a sporting chance, eh?"And he laughed with great good nature."What's your name?" asked Werther, his small eyes growing round and wide.