At the sound of his nephew's voice, Hank Brodie sprang to his feet. "Gentlemen," he called, "I forbid it. He is a minor and I am his guardian. He is booked for the great two-mile race which follows this contest and I forbid him to ride Big Thunder."
At this point two strong hands reached up and pulled Hank Brodie down. His two friends, Pony Perkins and Long Tom, had taken him in charge.
"Don't spoil the boy's fun," pleaded Long Tom, "I bet you he can ride him. He is a wonderful rider and he has a great way with horses."
"I will bet on him, too," put in Pony. "I will bet the Jack Rabbit he can ride the black devil."
"What is your decision, Mr. Brodie, will he ride?" cried one of the judges and Hank nodded his head.
Whether Big Thunder had worked off a lot of his steam and pure cussedness was not known but it was certain that Larry fared much better than had any of the others. He mounted with a quick spring and caught the halter rope with a strong sure hand. The black fury executed his three long high jumps which had put the second contestant out of business, but at each jump Larry raised slightly in the saddle and took a part of the blow on the stirrups and so saved himself. Sunfishing and swapping ends did not discomfort him, but Hank Brodie felt his heart in his throat when the
