'Me-Smith'

Book Excerpt: ...ago. Here, Windy"--addressing Tubbs--"tie this rope to the X, and make a knot that will hold."[Illustration: "SHE'S A GAME KID, ALL RIGHT," SAID SMITH TO HIMSELF AT THE TOP OF THE HILL.]The girl's words and manner inspired confidence. Interest and relief were in the face of the little man standing at the side of the road."Now, Windy, hand me the rope. I'll take three turns around my saddle-horn, and when I say 'go' you see that your team get down in their collars.""She's a game kid, all right," said Smith to himself at the top of the hill. When the sorrel pony at the head of the team felt the rope grow taut on the saddle-horn, it lay down to its work. The grit and muscle of a dozen horses seemed concentrated in the little cayuse. It pulled until every vein and cord in its body appeared to stand out beneath its skin. It lay down on the rope until its chest almost touched the ground. There was a look of determination that was almost human in its bright, excited eyes as it...