d away, his head down, bucking like a good fellow.
For a moment or so Jesse hung on, but before anyone could mount and help
him he was flung full length, and lay, his arms out, motionless. It all
happened in a flash.

They ran to him. At once Rob dragged him up, sitting, in front of him,
and dragged his shoulders back, pressing his own knee up and down the
boy's spine. He saw that no bones were broken, and was using some
revival methods he had learned on the football field.

"Ouch! Leggo!" said Jesse, after a little. "What's the matter?"

Rob let him up. He staggered around in a circle two or three times,
dazed. "Gee!" said he, laughing at last. "Where'd I drop from?" Then
they all laughed, very gladly, seeing he had only been stunned by the
fall.

"All right, son?" asked Billy, coming to him anxiously. "I'm sorry! I
didn't know----"

"My fault, sir," said Jesse, stoutly. "I admit it. I ought to have known
more than to mount any Western horse from the right side and not the
left. My fault. But, you see, I had the laces loose on the stirrup, so
I just thought I'd climb up on the other side and try the length there."

"You're right--that's not safe," said Billy. "I never knew that cayuse
to act bad before. Are you afraid of him now?"

"Naw!" said Jesse, scoffing. "Bring him over--only fasten that leg
leather. I'll ride him."

"Better let me top him off first."

"No, sir! He's in my string and I'll ride him alone!"

Billy allowed him to try, since he saw that the horse was now over his
fright, but he mounted his own horse first and rode alongside, after he
had the stirrup fixed. To the surprise of all, the horse now was gentle
as a lamb, and Jesse kicked him in the side to make him go.

"Horse is a funny thing," said Billy. "He ain't got any real brains,
like a mule. He gets scared at anything he ain't used to, and he can't
reason any. Now look at Sleepy!"

That animal did not even turn his head, but stood under his pack with
eyes closed, taking no interest in their little matters.

[Illustration: BEFORE ANYONE COULD HELP HIM HE WAS FLUNG FULL LENGTH,
AND LAY MOTIONLESS]

They had all the saddles ready and the last rope cinched by the time
Uncle Dick returned. He rebuked Jesse for a "tenderfoot play" when
they told him what had happened, much annoyed. "I'm responsible for
you," said he, "and while I'm willing you each should take all fair
chances like a man, I'll not have any needless risks. Learn to do th