The Dutch boy looked proud as a peacock.
“Look avay oudt now!” he said. “I vas goin’ to shown you der vay to ride.”
Then he tried to start the broncho, but the animal refused to stir.
“Vot peen der madder mit you?” angrily demanded Hans, striking the creature with his hand. “Why you don’d gone along, ain’d id?”
Still the broncho stood quite still, its head down and its short ears tipped back in an ominous manner.
Hans tried in various ways to start the creature up, but was not successful.
“Der proncho peen dead!” he said, in disgust, thumping the animal with his heels.
As if resenting this, the creature suddenly gave a squeal, made a bound into the air, and came down with all four feet close together and its back “humped.”
Dunnerwust shot up from the saddle in a most surprising way.
By chance he came straight down and struck in the saddle again. He tried to catch hold and cling on, but the broncho made another leap.