ound. The boy who was holding him had his hands
full, as the bay would rise on his hind legs and strike out viciously
with his forefeet.

The other animal was much heavier than the bay. A brilliant black, whose
coat fairly shone with careful grooming. He had been standing
comparatively quiet until the three appeared upon the verandah of the
house, then, with a sudden surge backward, he dragged the Mexican boy
off his feet, shaking his head viciously.

"We ought to be armed, Senor," advised Jim. "If we should overtake those
men, they will put up a desperate fight."

"Certainly, Senor," he answered. "Come into this room and select your
weapon."

After both Jim and Jo were armed, they went out to the horses.

CHAPTER XIV

THE PURSUIT

All the servants seemed just now to find duties of importance in front
of the house or near it. They had no idea of missing the chance of
seeing these Gringoes, whom they held in contempt, thrown from their
horses.

Jim took the black and Jo was left the red, the easiest to manage even
if he seemed the liveliest. Jo was too quick for his horse and before he
could whirl to one side, he was in the saddle. Then his animal reared
and plunged but Jo sat on him as easily as a cowboy does his steed.
There was no mistaking his horsemanship. The servants were duly and
deeply disappointed.

But their hopes revived when they saw Jim tackle the black. He began
that steady sideways movement which Jim knew so well, whenever he tried
to put his foot in the stirrup. The servants began to smile, here would
be some fun. The "Black Devil," as they called the horse, had been known
to kill men, so they had pleasant anticipations. When Jim found that he
could not mount by the stirrup, he made a quick, powerful leap and was
in the saddle.

"Bravo!" cried the Senor Sebastian, but he knew that the fight had just
begun.

Jo looked on with interest and perfect confidence in brother Jim's
ability. The black stood perfectly stunned for a moment or two at being
so suddenly mounted, then he sprang into action. With his back in a hump
he shot into the air and came down stiff-legged.

Without loss of a second he went into the air again, higher than before.
From the corral the Mexican cowboys were looking at the duel between the
horse and the boy with lively interest.

"The Diablo will kill him," said one nonchalantly, blowing a puff of
smoke from his cigarette.

"Five dollars that the Gringo stays