“Hm-m-m, well,” hedged the colonel, trying to be truthful and still not hurt the boy’s feelings.
“You wait,” said Jim confidently. “Wait until I get him spruced up a bit; then you’ll see. He’s probably the smartest horse in the whole state.”
“That could be true enough,” said the stock buyer, glad to find something on which they could agree. “I’d like to spend more time looking at him, son; but I’m in a big hurry. Can you tell me where the calf is that I bought from your father?”
Jim led the calf out of the barn and over to the truck. The two carried a small stock chute to the back of the truck. By dint of much pushing, pulling and coaxing, the calf was finally loaded.
“Here’s the fifteen dollars for the calf,” said the colonel. “Thanks a lot for helping me.”
Jim returned to his horse. Colonel Flesher’s lack of approval didn’t bother him in the least. He shrugged his shoulders. After all the stock buyer bought cows largely, and probably wasn’t able to see Ticktock’s wonderful qualities. He went out to the barn for a curry comb and brush. Now he hoped his family wouldn’t be back for hours. He had visions of the mustang looking like a show horse by the time they returned.
Currying Ticktock turned out to be a much bigger job than Jim had anticipated. After the first ten minutes he sadly conceded that it would be a matter of weeks instead of hours before he could have the pony’s coat sleek and glistening. He tried unsuccessfully to comb out a few strands of the matted mane and gave up. Instead he started to work on a shoulder—that looked easier. After twenty minutes of hard work, he was resting his tired arms when the family drove in the yard. Jim ran excitedly over to the car, jumping on the running board as the car stopped.
Since the driver’s seat was on the side toward the orchard, Mr. Meadows saw the mustang first.
“Where did that nag come from?” he inquired.
“Nag!” said Jim, astounded. “Why that’s a real Texas cow pony with a brand and everything.”