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As he went down, Pan heard the piercing shriek. The two cowboys were out of their saddles in a twinkling, and while Gus held the horse down Blinky hobbled his front feet. Then they let him get up. Charley Brown ran to open another gate, that led out into the unfenced pasture. This animal was a big chestnut, with tawny mane. He leaped prodigiously, though fettered by the hobbles.
The air was keen and crisp. The cedars glistened as if decked with diamonds. Pan felt the sweet scent of the damp dust, and it gave him a thrill and a longing for the saddle and the open country. "Wal, reckon this heah'll be our busy day," drawled Blinky, after making a hearty breakfast of bacon and flapjacks. "Pan, what's first on the ticket?"
After supper, however, there seemed to be a lessening of restraint, with the conversation turning to the corrals full of wild horses. "Wal, let's go an' look 'em over," proposed Blinky. Pan was glad to see his father able and eager to accompany them, but he did not go himself. "Come on, you wild-hoss trapper," called Blinky. "We want to bet on how rich we are."
Dad wasn't loco. No wonder he raved.... Blink, is there any mistake?" "What about?" "The market for wild horses." "Absolutely, no," declared Blinky vehemently. "It's new. Only started last summer. Wiggate made money. He said so. Thet's what fetched the Hardmans nosin' into the game. Mebbe this summer will kill the bizness, but right now we're safe.
That worthy caused a stir, then a silence, by going round about the tables, so as not to come between Pan and any men there. "Blink, do you know where Louise's room is?" queried Pan. "Shore. Down thish hall third door on left," replied Blinky. "Well, you go over there to Blake and tell him I want to talk to him. Then you go to Louise's room. I'll follow directly."
Her hair hung disheveled round her. A low whistle made Pan jump. Blinky stood inside in a flare of light from an open door. He beckoned. Pan lifted the girl and carried her in. Five minutes later they came out, one on each side of Louise, trying to keep her quiet. She was gay, maudlin. But once outside again, the rush of cold mountain air aided them.
"But what could happen?" asked Pan, darkly speculative. "Wal, to figger the way things run fer me an' Gus out heah I'd say this," replied Blinky, with profound seriousness. "We'll do all the cuttin' an' draggin' an' buildin'. We close up any gaps. We'll work our selves till we're daid in our boots. Then we'll drive drive them wild hosses as hosses was never drove before."
"Who said so?" retorted Blinky, aggressively. "I heard it at the Yellow Mine." That name, and the implication conveyed by Pan made Blinky drop his head. But his somber shame quickly fled. "Wal, pard, I'll stay sober as long as you. Shake on it." Pan made his plans to leave next morning as early as the wild horses they had hobbled could be gotten into shape to travel.
They had to break up the bunch a dozen times before they could locate the horse Blinky desired. And when Pan espied the bay he did not blame Blinky, and from that moment, as the chase went on, he grew more and more covetous. What a horse for Lucy! Pan had been satisfied with the blue roan for her but after he saw the little bay he changed his mind. The little animal was cunning.
Roland was working hard at the bank, with an application that earned Blinky Lockwood's regard and outspoken approbation; and his Christmas raiment proved the sensation of the season. But none of us believed he had any chance against Duncan: Josie's attitude toward the latter was such that we confidently anticipated the announcement of their engagement before she went away again.
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