Would you like to follow with Charley, Miss Deringham ?" The time had scarcely been exceeded when he led a horse out of the stable, held his hand out for Miss Townshead to mount by, and then swung himself to the saddle.

Then he and the girl swung across the clearing at a gallop, and Alice Deringham endeavoured to assure herself that she was not angry.

It appeared that her angling was of considerably less importance than the capture of the steer.
It was possibly for this reason that she was unusually gracious to Seaforth, who came along just then, and though evidently in some haste, stopped to talk to her; while when she had promised to accompany him to witness the chase, and he strode away towards the stable, her father sauntered out of the house and glanced in her direction whimsically.
"It occurs to me that one of us is responsible for some irregularity in the work upon this ranch, and that the beast it a trifle uncertain in his moods," said he.
"It is," said his daughter, "a little difficult to understand you." Deringham pointed to the two mounted figures just entering the brush, and the girl fancied that something had ruffled him.

He could be unpleasant when that happened.
"Alton of Somasco is a somewhat busy man, but both he and his partner seem to have suspended their energies this morning," he said.

"No doubt wild-beast taming has its fascination, but one might fancy it was apt to prove a somewhat disconcerting and perilous amusement." "Yes ?" said the girl in a tone of languid inquiry.
Deringham nodded.