“Yep, more grit than sense, I reckon,” chimed another.
Jack picked up his rope once more and recaptured the buckskin, which was trotting about the corral, apparently feeling that the fight was over and he had won. Once more Bud held the rope while Jack vaulted into the saddle.
This time, however, there was no preliminary pause. Dynamite plunged straight into his program of unseating tactics.
With a vicious squeal the pony’s hind feet shot out and the next instant as Jack jerked the little animal’s head up it caroomed into the air, coming down with a stiff–legged jolt that jarred every nerve in Jack’s body. Then began a series of amazing bucks. It seemed impossible that anybody, much less a mere boy, could have stuck to the pony’s back through such an ordeal.
“Wow! Dynamite’s sure steamboatin’ some!” yelled the cow–punchers.
Suddenly Dynamite ceased bucking.
“Look out for a side–jump!” shouted Mr. Reeves; but, even as he spoke, it came.
The broncho gave a brain–twisting leap to the left, causing Jack to sway out of his saddle to the right. Luckily he caught the pommel and cantle just in time to save himself from being thrown. Dynamite seemed surprised that he had not unseated his rider by his favorite and oft–tried method. He repeated his famous side–jump. But Jack stuck like a cockle–burr to a colt’s tail.
All at once the buckskin gave a semi–turn while in the air. It was a variation of the regular “buck” that would have unseated half the veteran cowboys perched on the corral fence watching the fight between boy and broncho.
“Good fer you, kid!” they shouted enthusiastically, as Jack maintained his seat.