Pete pulled up. "Say, amigo, it's ag'inst the rules to choke that there horn to death. Jest let go and clamp your knees. We'll lope 'em a spell."
Forbes was about to protest when Pete's horse, to which he had apparently done nothing, broke into a lope. Forbes's horse followed. It was a rough experience for the Easterner, but he enjoyed it until Pete pulled up suddenly. Forbes's own animal stopped abruptly, but Forbes, grabbing wildly at the horn, continued, and descended in a graceful curve which left him sitting on the sand and blinking up at the astonished animal.
"Hurt you?" queried Pete.
"I think not— But it was rather sudden. Now what do I do?"
"Well, when you git rested up, I'd say to fork him ag'in. He's sure tame."
"I—I thought he was rather wild," stammered Forbes, getting to his feet.
"Nope. It was you was wild. I reckon you like to scared him to death. Nope! Git on him from this side."
"He seems a rather intelligent animal," commented Forbes as he prepared for the worst.
"Well, we kin call him that, seein' there's nobody round to hear us. We'll walk 'em a spell."
Forbes felt relieved. And realizing that he was still alive and uninjured, he relaxed a bit. After they had turned and headed for town, he actually enjoyed himself.