"That's so, if you've got the rider,
but put one of them rangers on to him and it wouldn't be no fair show."
Bill was growing more convinced every moment that the pinto wouldn't
sell to any advantage. "Ye see," he explained carefully and cunningly,
"he ain't a horse you could yank round and slam into a bunch of steers
regardless."
Gwen shuddered. "Oh, I wouldn't think of selling him to any of those
cowboys." Bill crossed his legs and hitched round uncomfortably on his
bench. "I mean one of those rough fellows that don't know how to treat
a horse." Bill nodded, looking relieved. "I thought that some one like
you, Bill, who knew how to handle a horse--"
Gwen paused, and then added: "I'll ask The Duke."
"No call for that," said Bill, hastily, "not but what The Dook ain't all
right as a jedge of a horse, but The Dook ain't got the connection, it
ain't his line." Bill hesitated. "But, if you are real sot on to sellin'
that pinto, come to think I guess I could find a sale for him, though,
of course, I think perhaps the figger won't be high."
And so it was arranged that the pinto should be sold and that Bill
should have the selling of it.
It was characteristic of Gwen that she would not take farewell of the
pony on whose back she had spent so many hours of freedom and delight.
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