"Perk up a little," he more than half ordered.

"I don't want Keziah jeerin' at me." Susan made a pitiful effort to smile.

He eyed it sourly, grunted, gave the mare a cut with the whip that caused her to leap forward in a gallop.

"Whoa!" he yelled.

"Whoa--damn you!" And he sawed cruelly at her mouth until she quieted down.