Those down in the foothills saw the animal whirl and face the other way.
"He sees something," cried Walter, forgetting in his excitement that they were trying to keep quiet.
"Yes, he has probably scented Master Tad," explained the guide.
"Think he'll try to catch the horse?" asked Stacy.
"Hope not. Those wild horses are bad medicine. No, of course, he has no rope with him. But he'll be wise if he keeps out of the way of the beast."
Tad had no thought of doing either. He stood perfectly still, gazing in awe and wonder at the handsomest horse he had ever seen.
The stallion's eyes blazed. He uttered a loud snort, then rose right up into the air on his hind feet. One bound brought him many feet nearer the boy who was observing him. It was the only direction in which the stallion could go without plunging into a chasm.
"Whoa!" commanded Tad sharply.
The white horse never having been trained, failed to understand the word, but he halted just the same, gazing angrily at the bold boy standing there, who, it appeared, was defying him.
Uttering another snort, this time full of menace, the animal leaped straight toward the lad in long, graceful bounds.