For the first time he found himself trusted alone with a horse, on a mission that would keep him the full day in the saddle, and would take him beyond sight of the ranch house.

Very bravely he set out, equipped with his cowboy regalia--except the riata, which the Dean, fearing experiments, had, at the last moment, thoughtfully borrowed--and armed with a fencing tool and staples.

He was armed, too, with a brand-new "six-gun" in a spick and span holster, on a shiny belt of bright cartridges.

The Dean had insisted on this, alleging that the embryo cowboy might want it to kill a sick cow or something.
Patches wondered if he would know a sick cow if he should meet one, or how he was to diagnose the case to ascertain if she were sick enough to kill.
The first thing he did, when the Dean was safely out of sight, was to dismount and examine his saddle girth.

Always your real king of the cattle range is careful for the foundation of his throne.