Teddy nodded in approval.
“And also,” he added, “if you happen to see Gus—though I don’t suppose you will—tell him to return. All is forgiven!” and the boy grinned. “In the meantime there’s plenty to do. Nat, as I started to tell you last night—” and Teddy went on explaining some details of the day’s work.
The crowd in the yard wandered off to go about their respective tasks. Teddy and Roy were to ride to Eagles to see about some new blankets and they turned to the corral to saddle Star and Flash.
As they approached the railing, Teddy said to his brother:
“Remember that horse I broke about a month ago—just before we went on our little picnic to Thunder Canyon? The one that jumped the fence with me?”
“Sure, I remember him. Made a fine riding pony. Dad said he wouldn’t trade him for any horse on the place—except, I imagine, General.”
“Yea! Well, I want you to take a look at his left foreleg. Seems to have some kind of a sore on it, and it won’t heal. I put ointment on it last week, but it didn’t seem to help. Wait here, and I’ll get him.”
The boy opened the gate. At this time of year there were only a few horses within the enclosure, and no steers, since all these were on grazing ground. They would not be brought in until the round-up in the late fall.
Striding up to Flash, Teddy rubbed the pony’s nose with his hand and gazed about him. Strangely enough, his eye did not catch the mount he spoke of, and he looked more carefully among the other horses. Still he could not see the bronco.
“Hey, Roy!” he called. “Can you spot that pinto? Blamed if I can. I must be getting blind.”