"I can't any more than fall off."
Stallings nodded.
Tad slipped to the pony's side. Cautiously placing his left foot in the stirrups, he suddenly flung himself into the saddle.
The next instant Tad Butler was flying through the air over the pony's head.
CHAPTER XIX
GRIT WINS THE BATTLE
The lad appeared to strike the ground head-on. Fortunately, the spot where he landed was covered with soft sand.
"Are you hurt?" asked Big-foot, running to the boy and reaching out to assist him.
"I guess not," answered Tad, rubbing the sand from his eyes and blinking vigorously.