"How?"
"Git on his back and do one of them bareback stunts you was telling us about," and the fellow winked covertly at his companions, as much as if to say, "we've got him going this time."
"What; here in this rough yard?"
"Yep."
Phil considered for a moment, stamping about on the straw-covered ground, then sizing up the horse critically.
"All right. Bring me a bridle and fasten a long enough rein to the bit so I can get hold of it standing up."
He was really going to do as they demanded. The men were
surprised.
They had not believed he could, and now, at any rate, he was
going
to make an effort to make good his boast.
A bridle was quickly fetched and slipped on the head of old Joe.
In place of reins the farmer attached a rope to the bridle,
Phil measuring on the back of the horse to show how long it
should be cut.
The preparations all complete, Phil grasped the rein and vaulted to the high back of the animal, landing astride neatly. This brought an exclamation of approval from the audience.
"Now git up on your feet."