“Down in the cellar eating spinach,� Teddy answered, with a grin. “Flash, here, won’t let General balk on us! will you, old boy?� and Teddy leaned forward and rubbed the horse’s nose. Flash nuzzled his master’s hand affectionately.
“Why don’t you let up on that mush?â€� Roy asked in a disgusted tone. “Go on, whisper pretty nothings in his ear! Talk about me and Star! Why, when Gilly Froud—â€�
Eyes blazing, Teddy turned swiftly on his brother.
“Don’t mention that cur’s name to me,â€� he said thickly. “You know what he did to Flash? He kicked him, that’s what he did! Kicked him! And if dad hadn’t stopped me, I’d have—I’d have—â€�
“Cool off, cool off,� Roy advised soothingly. “I don’t like Froud any more than you do. You know that. Anyway, dad threw him off the ranch, so let’s forget him. Come on, step on it. Dad’s train is due soon.�
Breathing heavily at the memory of Froud’s mistreatment of Flash, Teddy pulled General’s leading rein and urged his own mount to a faster pace.
This Gilly Froud had been a hand on the X Bar X ranch, which was owned by Mr. Manley, the father of Roy and Teddy. One day the ranch owner had caught Froud abusing Flash. Teddy had come around the corner of the bunkhouse at the same instant, and took in the scene at a glance. White to the lips, the boy started for Froud. Mr. Manley took one look at his son’s face, and, springing forward, seized Teddy by the shoulders. Flash—Teddy’s Flash—had been kicked, and Teddy had seen it. Mr. Manley tightened his grip on his son’s shoulders. There was not going to be that sort of fight on his ranch if he could prevent it.
Teddy had come to his senses quickly, and Mr. Manley released him. Then he turned and looked at Froud, whose face was sickly pale underneath his tan. After this occurrence, Froud went away from that ranch in something of a hurry.
As Teddy recalled the incident, his fist clenched and he unconsciously drew up on Flash’s rein. The horse snorted and shook his head, as though he knew what was passing through his master’s mind.
“Always did hate a man who mistreated a horse,� Teddy murmured. “Sure to be something else the matter with him. No decent fellow would kick a pony.�