When Scott came over to the hotel for his noon meal he found things very much changed. There was none of the sneering contempt which had so maddened him in the morning. His conquest of the big black had gained for him the admiration of the cowboys. They were all very friendly, so friendly in fact, that it was rather embarrassing, for their friendliness nearly always took the form of an invitation to drink which Scott courteously but firmly refused to do. The boys could not understand this very well, but they were willing to respect the rights of a man who could ride a wild horse with a fingernail saddle, and they soon ceased to bother him.
Soon after lunch the supervisor came in hurriedly. “Burton,” he said, “I find that I shall not be able to go out with you in the morning, so I shall have to go this afternoon if you can get ready.”
“Sure,” Scott replied, “the sooner the better. I am ready to start any time.”
“You can take your blankets along now, and I’ll send your duffle up with the next pack train. You get your blankets and I’ll get out your horse. Mine is out in front now.”
Scott hurried upstairs to get his blanket roll. As he had told Mr. Ramsey he was ready to go with him, but he was wondering to himself whether he could do it. If the big horse happened to want to go in that direction all would be well, but if he did not Scott felt that he would probably go somewhere else. He was a little afraid that his second ride might not end as fortunately as his first, but he put on a bold face and carried the blanket roll to the stable as confidently as he could.
Mr. Ramsey had led out the black and was looking him over. Mr. McGoorty had followed Scott out.
“Do you really want to use that English saddle?” the supervisor asked.
“No,” Scott answered, “It is the only kind I have ever used but it would make me too conspicuous, and I might as well get used to a stock saddle now. It must be better or every one here would not use it.”
“You’ll find it a lot more convenient,” said the supervisor, evidently relieved. “A fellow nearly always has a bunch of duffle to carry along and there is no place to put it on that fingernail affair. One of these stock saddles is nearly as good as a trunk for packing stuff.”
“Take one of mine and try it out,” said McGoorty. He had taken a great fancy to Scott and was very solicitous to see that he did nothing to spoil the reputation he had so well started.