But always as they whirled and dodged in their attempts to avoid that big gate toward which they were forced to move, there was a silent, persistent horseman barring the way.

The big bay alone, as though realizing the futility of such efforts and so conserving his strength for whatever was to follow, trotted proudly, boldly into the corral, where he stood, his eyes never leaving the riders, as his mates crowded and jostled about him.
"There's one in that bunch that's sure aimin' to make you ride some," said Curly Elson with a grin, to Phil, as the family sat at breakfast.
On the Cross-Triangle the men who were held through the summer and winter seasons between the months of the rodeos were considered members of the family.

Chosen for their character, as well as for their knowledge of the country and their skill in their work the Dean and "Stella," as Mrs.Baldwin is called throughout all that country, always spoke of them affectionately as "our boys." And this, better than anything that could be said, is an introduction to the mistress of the Cross-Triangle household.
At the challenging laugh which followed Curly's observation, Phil returned quietly with his sunny smile, "Maybe I'll quit him before he gets good and started." "He's sure fixin' to make you back the decision of them contest judges," offered Bob Colton.
And Mrs.Baldwin, young in spirit as any of her boys, added, "Better not wear your medal, son.

It might excite him to know that you are the champion buster of Arizona." "Shucks!" piped up Little Billy excitedly, "Phil can ride anything what wears hair, can't you, Phil ?" Phil, embarrassed at the laughter which followed, said, with tactful seriousness, to his little champion, "That's right, kid.

You stand up for your pardner every time, don't you?
You'll be riding them yourself before long.