CHAPTER IV.
BOB "LEARNS HOW TO RIDE."
"I told Slats to bring the horses around in fifteen minutes, so if you want any breakfast you'd better get a hustle on."
The boys had just come from their room and as it was only a little after six o'clock, they were surprised to find Sue waiting for them. She was clad in a neat riding habit and looked very much like a handsome boy. She declared that she had had her breakfast hours ago, and chided the boys for being such sleepy heads. They finished the meal well within the specified time and found her waiting for them on the porch. At the same time Slats appeared leading three horses.
"Where did that horse come from?" Sue asked pointing to a large vicious-look roan.
"Jeb bought him along with three others yesterday," the man replied.
"Well, why in the name of common sense, didn't you bring one that you knew was all right? What do you know about that horse? He looks as though he might be a killer."
"He needed exercise and I reckoned he'd be all light, but, of course, if they're afraid of him I can take him back and get Betsy. She's safe enough, I reckon."
Something in the man's voice told Bob that he was offering him a dare and that he would be thought a coward if he refused it, so he said:
"Don't bother. I'll ride him."
"Not so you'd notice it," Sue said. Then, turning to Slats, she ordered: