moment, waiting his
opportunity, and then, swinging the rope gracefully over his head, the
noose dropped upon the neck of the black.

The instant she felt it touch, she lowered her head, in an endeavor to
throw it off; but Manuel anticipated the movement, and gently tightened
it; when, with a snort of defiance, she settled back on her haunches, as
though inviting him to a trial of strength.

After many and repeated failures, by the exercise of great patience and
skill, Manuel succeeded in separating her from the remainder of the herd,
and leading her into another and smaller enclosure.

And then commenced the contest with the bay. The herd had by this time
become very sensitive, and it was with great difficulty that Manuel
managed to cast his noose over the mare's head; and, even when this had
been accomplished, she seemed disposed to make him all the trouble
possible; but, after a long time, he obtained the mastery, and led her
out to share the fate of her black companion.

"Now, boys, you've got the ponies, what are you going to do with them?"
asked I.

"Do with 'em? Why, ride 'em, of course," answered Hal.

"I'd like to see some one ride mine, before I back her," remarked Ned.

"And so you shall," said I. "Come, Manuel, let's see you ride the bay."

First obtaining one end of the lasso, which still encircled her neck, he
made a turn around a stout post, which enabled him to bring her head so
perfectly under his control, that, with comparative ease, he made a loop
with his lasso around her lower jaw; then, leading her into the open
plain, he vaulted lightly upon her back.

The moment she felt his weight she uttered a scream of rage, and raised
herself upright upon her hind legs, standing so admirably poised that
Manuel was only able to retain his seat by clinging with both arms around
her neck. Unable to rid herself of her burden in this manner, she planted
her fore feet firmly on the earth, and elevated her hind legs high in the
air with great rapidity and fury, forcing the rider to turn quickly upon
her back and clasp his arms tightly around the barrel of her body,
bracing his toes against the point of her fore shoulders, and thus
rendering futile all her frantic efforts to unseat him.

Apparantly convinced that neither of these methods would relieve her, she
stood still for a moment, as if to gather strength for a last, grand,
final effort for her freedom; then, bounding like a deer, she dashed
furiously