il, at least, in sheer desperation, the animal
started again to run. He found that he was not interfered with in this
effort. However, when he sought to unseat his rider by brushing against
the trunk of a large tree, he again felt the sting of the quirt on his
flank.

Gradually Tad now began to work the animal around. After a time he
succeeded in doing this, and was soon headed for camp. They bore down,
at great speed, to where the cowboys were swinging their hats and
setting up a shout that carried far over the plain.

Tad's face was flushed with pride. Yet he did not allow himself for an
instant to forget his work. The lad's whole attention was centered on
the pony under him. He was determined to make a grand finish that, while
exhibiting his horsemanship, would at the same time give the pony a
lesson not soon to be forgotten.

"You've got him!" cried Ned Rector as Tad approached, now at a gallop,
the animal's ears lying back angrily.

"Don't be too sure," answered Big-foot. "See them ears? That means more
trouble."

It came almost before the words were out of the cowpuncher's mouth.

The broncho stiffened, its hoofs ploughing little trails in the soft
dirt of the plain as it skidded to a stop. The jolt might have unhorsed
Tad Butler had he not been expecting it from some indications that he
read in the animal's actions.

Suddenly settling back on its haunches, the broncho rolled over on its
side. Tad, with a grin, stepped off a few paces, taking with him,
however, the coil of rope, one end of which was still fastened around
the beast's neck.

With a snort and a bound, realizing that it was free at last, the little
animal leaped to its feet and darted away.

Tad moved swiftly to the right, so as not to get a tug on the rope over
the back of the pony.

The coil was running out over his hands like a thing of life. Grasping
the end firmly, the lad shook out the rest of the rope, leaning back
until it was almost taut.

By this time the animal was running almost at right angles to him.

Tad gave the rope a quick rolling motion just as it was being drawn
taut. The result was as surprising as it was sudden. The animal's four
feet were snipped from under it neatly, sending the broncho to earth
with a disheartening bump.

[Illustration: Tad Gave the Rope a Quick, Rolling Motion.]

Without giving it a chance to rise, Tad sprang upon it, and, when the
pony rose, Tad Butler was sitting proudly in the saddle.