ul canter, like a big rocking-horse, and Vaughan rode up to his
companions feeling very pleased with himself.

"What d'you think of it?" asked Mick.

"Fine!" replied the lad. "Fine! But he shook me up before I found it
out."

"Found what out?" asked the drover.

Vaughan told him, and the man smiled approval. "Good!" he commented.
"Remember, these horses up here are all different, and you've got to
find them out. Perhaps you've been used to riding properly trained
ones. We don't do any of that up here in the bush. Would you like to
try another?"

Vaughan was sore and tired, but he answered eagerly that he was ready
for a dozen more.

"I'll only give you one," said Mick, beckoning to one of the black
boys. "Take him pretty carefully."

The black stockman caught and saddled a chestnut gelding. Compared
with the thoroughbreds of Langdale Station, the horse was heavily
built, but it had beautifully made shoulders and back. The rump was
coupled to the saddle of the back without the slightest dip, and the
curve rose over a pair of high shoulder-blades and up to a deep and
shapely neck. The legs, however, were thick, and seemed to be out of
proportion with the rest of the body.

Vaughan mounted, or rather he tried to mount. If he had known more
about horses he would have noticed the nervous head and eyes, and would
have taken precautions accordingly. But he just flung the reins over
its head, put his foot in the stirrup, and--found himself sprawling in
the sand. He did not let go of the reins. The drover noticed this,
and knew, because of it, that the boy had the instincts of a horseman.
Sax ran forward, but Mick stopped him. "He's all right," he said.
"Let him alone."

Vaughan picked himself up and approached the horse, cautiously, but
without fear. He put the reins quietly over its head, shortened the
near side one and took a good handful of mane, and put his foot in the
stirrup.

"Don't rush it! Don't rush it!" shouted Mick. "You're dealing with a
nervous horse. Take your time. Don't be afraid. He's got no vice."

Vaughan gradually pressed his weight in the stirrup and rose slowly
into the saddle. The horse stood quite still and trembled. The boy
realized that something was going to happen and settled himself firmly.
It was well he did so. Without any warning, the horse's back arched
like a bent bow, and all four feet came off the ground. It was an
extraordinary experience for Vaughan-