"What's got into you?" demanded Rhues, turning, while the Mexican laughed jeeringly. "I guess if you can ride him a man can git up clost without gittin' chawed up! Remember, young kid, we've been workin' with hosses sence you was suckin' yer thumb."
The others laughed again, but VB gave no heed. He was seeing red again; reason had gone—either reason or the coating of conventions.
"Well, if you won't stand away from him because of danger, you'll do it because I say so!" he muttered.
"O-ho, an' that's it!" laughed Rhues, walking on.
VB passed him and approached the Captain and took his bridle.
"Be still, boy," he murmured. "Stand where you are."
He stroked the nose, and the wrinkles left it.
Rhues laughed again harshly.
"Well, that's a fine kind o' buggy horse!" he jeered. "Let a tenderfoot come up an' steal all th' man-eatin' fire outen him!"
He laughed again and the others joined. The Mexican said something in Spanish.