Page:Laughing Boy-1929.djvu/62

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AR 50 LLAuGcHING Boy ‘Ei-yei! He shot straight! But jail is very bad, they say.’ “Well, that's just for a few months, and he will have that to think about. When he comes back, people will think well of him.’ The call sounded for the first race, which was the saddle-changing relay. They separated in the | rowd, which split into two parties according te whom it backed. Laughing Boy put two dollars on a group of active voung men with a short coupled pony that looked as if it could turn smartly and not get flustered. The ponies were saddled and mounted. The cinch-strap was carried through the ring of the girth, then up to the horn, where the rider held it fast with one hand, a finger of which also hooked in the reins. The other hand held a quirt ready te strike. The men were stripped to breech-clout and moccasins, slender, golden-brown bodies, the bodies of perfect boys, uncer the dark colour a glow of red showing through. Now! The ponies scampered, people shouted. The horsemen flashed to earth, bringing their saddles with them, the ponies were wheeled around. Bare arms and backs rippled as the new saddles were swung on, the cinch-strap caught through, held to the horn by the same hand on which the new rider swung as he leaped to the

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