uring he did not relish, to Bartolome's round face with its
close-to-hostile expression. Deliberately Drew sipped again before
answering the question.

"I'd say, suh, if they're but a sample of Range stock, the breed is
excellent. However----"

"However what, _senor_?" Bartolome's eyes challenged Drew. "In this
territory, even in Sonora, there are none to compare with the horses of
this hacienda."

"That is not what I was about to say, _Senor_ Rivas. But if _Don_ Cazar
wishes to try the eastern methods of training, these horses are too old.
You begin with a yearling colt, not three-year-olds."

"To break a foal! What madness!" Now Bartolome's face expressed shock.

"Not breaking," Drew corrected, "training. It is another method
altogether. One puts a weanling on a rope halter, accustoms him to the
feel of the hackamore, of being with men. Then he grows older knowing no
fear or strangeness."

The Mexican looked from Drew to _Don_ Cazar, his shock fading to
puzzlement. Rennie nodded.

"_Si, amigo_, so it is done--in Kentucky and Virginia. But this time we
must deal with the older ones. Can you modify those methods, gentle
without breaking? A colt with the fire still in him, but saddle-broke, is
worth much more--"

"I can try. But you have already said, suh, that you don't allow rough
breakin' here." Drew's half suspicion crystallized into belief. _Don_
Cazar had not really wanted another wrangler at all; he had wanted
Shiloh--and his foals. Well, perhaps he would find he did have a wrangler
who could deliver the goods into the bargain.

"No, but it is always well to learn new ways. I have been in Kentucky,
Kirby. Perhaps some of their methods would not work on the Range. On the
other hand, others might. As you have said--we can but try." He picked up
the top sheet of paper and began to read:

"_Bayos-blancos_--light duns--two. _Bayos-azafranados_--saffrons--one.
_Bayos-narajados_--orange duns--none----"

"There was one," Bartolome interrupted. "The mare, she was lost at Canon
del Palomas."

Rennie frowned, "_Si_, the mare. _Bayos-tigres_--striped ones --three.
_Bayos-cebrunos_--smoked duns--two. _Grullas_--blues--four. Roans--six.
Blacks--three. Bays--four. Twenty-five three-year-olds. You won't be
expected to take on the whole _remuda_, Kirby. Select any six of your own
choosing and use your methods of gentling on them. We'll make a test this
way."

Bartolome uttered a sound closer to a snort than anythi