MOSE RETURNS TO WAGON WHEEL As Mose threw the rope over the bald-faced pinto the boys all chuckled and drew near, for they knew the character of the horse.

Reynolds had said, "Take your pick o' the bunch," and Mose, with the eye of a horseman, had roped the pinto because of his size, depth of chest, and splendid limbs.
As he was leading his captive out of the bunch the cook said to Mose, "Better not take that pinto; he's mean as a hornet." "Is his wind all right ?" "He's one o' the best horses on the range, all right, but he shore is mean all the way through.

He always pitches at the start like he was fair crazy." "Does he go when he gets through ?" asked Mose of Reynolds.
"Yes, he's a good traveler." "I don't want to be delayed, that's all.

If he'll go, I'll stay by him." The boys nudged elbows while Mose threw the saddle on the cringing brute and cinched it till the pinto, full of suffering, drew great, quiet gulps of breath and groaned.

Swift, practiced, relentless, Mose dragged at the latigo till the wide hair web embedded itself in the pony's hide.