s a specimen of a real
outlaw, who never lets up in his fight against man. But few of these
horses are taken about in a traveling show. They are too dangerous.

However, the two that were fenced off in the corral at North Station
were of the real "bad" variety. They had been partly tamed, but their
tempers had been spoiled and they were really dangerous to approach.
Hence they were confined in a small space, and not allowed out.

However, cowboys are by nature reckless, and to them bucking horses are
but a source of amusement and rivalry. Each cowboy thinks he can ride
some steed no one else can mount. And for the purpose of contests or
exhibitions, to relieve the monotony of "riding range," there are
facilities for saddling and bridling these horses without danger to
those doing it.

This method consists of putting the horse in a long narrow place like a
stall in a stable, through the bars of which the boys can reach in,
throw on the saddle and tighten it. Then a rider can climb into the
saddle over the top rail of the fence and at a signal a gate can be
opened, allowing the maddened steed to rush out.

Then the fun begins.

"I'm goin' t' ride!" yelled Snake.

"Take th' big one then," advised Sam. "He ain't quite so bad as th'
other."

"I want th' meanest one!" insisted Snake, "an' if it's th' smallest
I'll ride him!"

"Better not!" advised the foreman, but Snake was not to be persuaded
against it. And the other cowboys, scenting fun, were not very anxious
to have Snake change his mind.

Accordingly some of the men who had handled Red Pepper before--Red
Pepper being the name of the horse--arranged to get a saddle on him,
and to slip a sort of bridle over his head. But he had no bit, for it
was as much as a man's hands were worth to try and force the bar of
steel between the teeth of this outlaw.

"Now you watch me!" cried Snake when, after hard work, the saddle had
been strapped on and pulled tight. "I'm goin' t' fan him."

I might explain that it is considered cowboy ethics to ride with only
one hand on the reins, whether a bit is used or not, and in the other
hand, usually the left, the cowboy carries his hat with which he hits
the steed on either side of the neck, "fanning him," it is called. And
no rough rider would ever think of sitting on the worst bucker in the
world without thus riding with one hand and "fanning" with the other.
Meanwhile, of course, he keeps up a wild whooping sound, j