" That Dade's hesitation did not cover more
than a few seconds was proof of his absolute loyalty to Jack. Not
another man living could have used Surry in a struggle such as that
would be; a struggle where the danger was not all for the rider, but
must be shared equally by the horse. Indeed, Dade himself would not have
ridden him in such a contest, because his anxiety lest Surry should be
hurt would have crippled his own dexterity. But Jack wanted to ride
Surry, and Dade's lips smiled consent to the sacrifice.
"All right, then. That horse is sure a wonder, Dade. Sensible? You never
saw anything like it! I never saw a horse so sensitive to--well, I
suppose it's muscular reactions that I'm unconscious of. I've tried him
out without a bridle on him; and, Dade, I can sit perfectly still in the
saddle, and he'll turn wherever I make up my mind to go! Fact. You try
it yourself, next time you ride him. So I've cultivated that faculty of
his, this last month.
"And besides, I've got him trained to dodge a rope every time. Had Diego
go out with me and try to lasso me, you know. I had one devil of a time
with the Injun, too, to make him disrespectful enough to throw a rope at
me. But Surry took to it like a she-bear to honey, and he's got so he
can gauge distances to a hair, now, and dodge it every pass. I'm going
to ride him to-day with a hackamore; and you watch him perform, old
man! I can turn him on a tin plate, just with pressing my knees.
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