Laying the saddle on swiftly, but gently, he cinched it strongly.

With determined and vigorous movement, he thrust the bit into his mouth.
"Slack away!" he called to the ropers.

The horse, nearly dead for lack of breath, drew a deep sigh.
Haney called out: "Stand clear, everybody, clear the road!" And casting one rope to the ground, Dan swung into the saddle.
For just an instant the horse crouched low and waited--then shot into the air with a tigerish bound and fell stiff-legged.

Again and again he flung his head down, humped his back, and sprang into the air grunting and squealing with rage and fear.

Dan sat him, but the punishment made him swear.